Cheyenne vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cheyenne
Hilo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.0%, with Cheyenne being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to $104,211 in Hilo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $104,211 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $53,977 in Cheyenne.
Living in Cheyenne vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $555,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne vs $708/month in Hilo. Cheyenne offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2904/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Cheyenne and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne 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 100 in Cheyenne and 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 and $59,621 respectively. Cheyenne residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/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 128 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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