City Comparison

Hilo vs Port St Lucie

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hilo

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

Port St Lucie

Florida
99
Average
$384,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$81,100
Median Income

The Verdict

33.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 33.3%, with Port St Lucie being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hilo has equivalent purchasing power to $56,250 in Port St Lucie.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
149
Hilo
103
Port St Lucie
Groceries
149
Hilo
102
Port St Lucie
Utilities
218
Hilo
93
Port St Lucie
Transportation
146
Hilo
102
Port St Lucie
Healthcare
118
Hilo
96
Port St Lucie

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hilo has the same purchasing power as $56,250 in Port St Lucie.

Conversely, $75,000 in Port St Lucie equals $100,000 in Hilo.

Living in Hilo vs Port St Lucie

Housing Costs

Hilo's housing index of 149 is higher Port St Lucie's 103, translating to median home prices of $555,000 vs $384,000. The $171,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,112 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Hilo compared to $1,800/mo in Port St Lucie, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 149 in Hilo and 102 in Port St Lucie. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $708/month in Hilo vs $485/month in Port St Lucie. Port St Lucie offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2676/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 218 in Hilo and 93 in Port St Lucie. Monthly utility bills average approximately $872 in Hilo vs $372 in Port St Lucie. 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 96 in Port St Lucie. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $81,100 in Port St Lucie. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,621 and $81,919 respectively. Port St Lucie 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 $1,892/month in Port St Lucie. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Port St Lucie, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 125 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St Lucie is 33.3% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 132.
A $75,000 salary in Hilo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,250 in Port St Lucie, based on the cost of living difference.
Hilo's housing index is 149 with median homes at $555,000, while Port St Lucie's is 103 with median homes at $384,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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