Hilo vs Lake Charles
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hilo
Lake Charles
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 57.1%, with Lake Charles being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hilo has equivalent purchasing power to $47,727 in Lake Charles.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hilo has the same purchasing power as $47,727 in Lake Charles.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lake Charles equals $117,857 in Hilo.
Living in Hilo vs Lake Charles
Housing Costs
Hilo's housing index of 149 is higher Lake Charles's 69, translating to median home prices of $555,000 vs $149,000. The $406,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,388 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Hilo compared to $925/mo in Lake Charles, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 149 in Hilo and 96 in Lake Charles. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $708/month in Hilo vs $456/month in Lake Charles. Lake Charles offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $3024/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 218 in Hilo and 71 in Lake Charles. Monthly utility bills average approximately $872 in Hilo vs $284 in Lake Charles. 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 118 in Hilo and 102 in Lake Charles. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $78,700 in Hilo and $59,200 in Lake Charles. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,621 and $70,476 respectively. Lake Charles residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,836/month to housing in Hilo vs $1,381/month in Lake Charles. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Lake Charles, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 147 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases