Hilo vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hilo
Lowell
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 0.8%, with Lowell being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hilo has equivalent purchasing power to $74,432 in Lowell.
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 $74,432 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $75,573 in Hilo.
Living in Hilo vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Hilo's housing index of 149 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $555,000 vs $429,000. The $126,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Hilo compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 149 in Hilo and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $708/month in Hilo vs $494/month in Lowell. Lowell offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2568/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 218 in Hilo and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $872 in Hilo vs $604 in Lowell. 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 118 in Lowell. 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 $78,700 in Hilo and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,621 and $60,840 respectively. Lowell 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 $1,860/month in Lowell. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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