Bellevue vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Hilo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 19.7%, with Hilo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $62,658 in Hilo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $62,658 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $89,773 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $555,000. The $746,000 difference in home prices means roughly $48,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $708/month in Hilo. Bellevue offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2172/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue 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 120 in Bellevue and 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $59,621 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. 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 118 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases