Hilo vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hilo
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Surprise costs 28.2% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hilo, you would need $58,523 in Surprise.
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 $58,523 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $96,117 in Hilo.
Living in Hilo vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Hilo's housing index of 149 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $555,000 vs $419,000. The $136,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,844 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Hilo compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 149 in Hilo and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $708/month in Hilo vs $475/month in Surprise. Surprise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2796/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 218 in Hilo and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $872 in Hilo vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,621 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 116 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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