City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Hilo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

Hilo

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

The Verdict

28.0%

Living in Fort Worth costs 28.0% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Worth, you would need $104,211 in Hilo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
149
Hilo
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
149
Hilo
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
218
Hilo
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
146
Hilo
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
118
Hilo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $104,211 in Hilo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $53,977 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Hilo

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $555,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $708/month in Hilo. Fort Worth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $3024/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Fort Worth and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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 $62,187 in Fort Worth and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $59,621 respectively. Fort Worth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Fort Worth, 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 119 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth is 28.0% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 132.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $104,211 in Hilo, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Hilo's is 149 with median homes at $555,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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