City Comparison

Concord vs Hilo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

Hilo

Hawaii
132
Expensive
$555,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$78,700
Median Income

The Verdict

11.4%

Living in Hilo costs 11.4% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $67,347 in Hilo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
210
Concord
149
Hilo
Groceries
112
Concord
149
Hilo
Utilities
147
Concord
218
Hilo
Transportation
137
Concord
146
Hilo
Healthcare
121
Concord
118
Hilo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $67,347 in Hilo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $83,523 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Hilo

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $555,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $708/month in Hilo. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2112/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord 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 121 in Concord 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 $109,000 in Concord and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $59,621 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,543/month to housing in Concord vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/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 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hilo is 11.4% more affordable overall with an index of 132 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,347 in Hilo, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Hilo's is 149 with median homes at $555,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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