Franklin vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Franklin
Hilo
The Verdict
Hilo is 5.3% less expensive than Franklin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Franklin would need approximately $71,223 in Hilo to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $71,223 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $78,977 in Franklin.
Living in Franklin vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $555,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $708/month in Hilo. Franklin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2796/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Franklin and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin 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 91 in Franklin and 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $118,200 in Franklin and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $59,621 respectively. Franklin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,758/month to housing in Franklin vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/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 121 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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