Hilo vs Round Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hilo
Round Rock
The Verdict
Living in Round Rock costs 30.7% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hilo, you would need $57,386 in Round Rock.
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 $57,386 in Round Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $98,020 in Hilo.
Living in Hilo vs Round Rock
Housing Costs
Hilo's housing index of 149 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $555,000 vs $413,000. The $142,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,228 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Hilo compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 149 in Hilo and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $708/month in Hilo vs $456/month in Round Rock. Round Rock 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 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $872 in Hilo vs $436 in Round Rock. 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 Round Rock. 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 $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,621 and $99,505 respectively. Round Rock 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 $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 109 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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