Burlington vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Hilo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.6%, with Burlington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $83,898 in Hilo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $83,898 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $67,045 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $555,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $708/month in Hilo. Burlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2340/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington 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 116 in Burlington 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 $51,098 in Burlington and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/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 103 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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