Boise vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Hilo
The Verdict
Living in Boise costs 19.7% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $93,396 in Hilo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boise has the same purchasing power as $93,396 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $60,227 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $555,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $708/month in Hilo. Boise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2856/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise 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 98 in Boise and 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,818 in Boise and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 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 $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/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 129 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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