Asheville vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Asheville
Hilo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.2%, with Asheville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Asheville has equivalent purchasing power to $91,667 in Hilo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Asheville has the same purchasing power as $91,667 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $61,364 in Asheville.
Living in Asheville vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Asheville's housing index of 120 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $360,000 vs $555,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Asheville compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Asheville and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Asheville vs $708/month in Hilo. Asheville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2628/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Asheville and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Asheville vs $872 in Hilo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Asheville and 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,534 in Asheville and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,939 and $59,621 respectively. Hilo residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Asheville vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Asheville, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 123 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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