Hilo vs Syracuse
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hilo
Syracuse
The Verdict
Living in Syracuse costs 43.5% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hilo, you would need $52,273 in Syracuse.
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 $52,273 in Syracuse.
Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $107,609 in Hilo.
Living in Hilo vs Syracuse
Housing Costs
Hilo's housing index of 149 is higher Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $555,000 vs $140,000. The $415,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,976 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Hilo compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 149 in Hilo and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $708/month in Hilo vs $480/month in Syracuse. Syracuse offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2736/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 218 in Hilo and 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $872 in Hilo vs $420 in Syracuse. 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 100 in Syracuse. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,621 and $39,900 respectively. Hilo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,836/month to housing in Hilo vs $857/month in Syracuse. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 113 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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