Living in Hilo, Hawaii
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Hilo · Census data 2020–2024
Hilo has 50,404 residents with a median age of 42.7. The median household income is $81,779 (19% lower than the Hawaii median), the median home value is $483,000, the median rent is $1,427/month.
Hilo at a glance
- Population
- 50,404
- Median age
- 42.7State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $81,779State: $100,389
- Median home value
- $483,000State: $839,100
- Median rent
- $1,427/moState: $1,971
- Homeowners
- 66.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34.6%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Hilo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 19% lower than the Hawaii median; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 14.5%.
The weather is best in January to March and May.
Cost of living in Hilo
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Hilo the median home value is $483,000, 45% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,427 per month, which is 31.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,060 a month in housing costs.
Hilo median household income
The median household income in Hilo is $81,779 and the income per person is $41,708. 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Hawaii: 10%).
Housing in Hilo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 19,265
- Owner-occupied
- 66.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.9%
- Vacant
- 7.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.76
Hilo demographics
- Population
- 50,404
- Median age
- 42.7
- Under 18
- 20%
- 65 and older
- 22.7%
- Households
- 17,750
- Foreign-born
- 11%
- Veterans
- 6.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Hilo ›
Education in Hilo
34.6% of adults 25 and older in Hilo have a bachelor's degree or higher (Hawaii: 36.1%), and 12.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Hilo
- Unemployment rate
- 6.9%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 8.9%
- Drive alone
- 71.8%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.4%
Hilo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo | 50,404 | $81,779 | $483,000 | $1,427 |
| Wainaku | 967 | $69,205 | $536,100 | $1,583 |
| Keaau | 1,436 | $85,000 | $332,900 | $827 |
| Paukaa | 450 | $92,750 | $666,700 | $1,393 |
| Kurtistown | 3,151 | $96,165 | $448,600 | $1,406 |
| Papaikou | 1,332 | $79,079 | $434,300 | $1,495 |
| Hawaiian Paradise Park | 13,203 | $88,348 | $457,100 | $1,310 |
| Pepeekeo | 2,056 | $70,625 | $463,400 | $750 |
| Orchidlands Estates | 3,027 | $73,936 | $385,900 | $1,398 |
More for people moving to Hilo
Hilo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Hilo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Hilo, HI?
The median household income in Hilo is $81,779, 19% lower than the Hawaii median of $100,389 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Hilo?
The median home value in Hilo is $483,000, compared with $839,100 in Hawaii.
How much is rent in Hilo?
The median gross rent in Hilo is $1,427 per month, about 31.6% of household income.
Is Hilo, HI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 19% lower than the Hawaii median; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 14.5%.
What is the median age in Hilo?
The median age in Hilo is 42.7 years (Hawaii: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Hilo?
The average commute to work in Hilo is 20 minutes; 8.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Hilo?
The unemployment rate in Hilo is 6.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Hilo?
34.6% of adults in Hilo have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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