Hilo vs Tyler
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hilo
Tyler
The Verdict
Living in Tyler costs 55.3% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hilo, you would need $48,295 in Tyler.
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 $48,295 in Tyler.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $116,471 in Hilo.
Living in Hilo vs Tyler
Housing Costs
Hilo's housing index of 149 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $555,000 vs $250,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Hilo compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 149 in Hilo and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $708/month in Hilo vs $456/month in Tyler. Tyler 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 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $872 in Hilo vs $388 in Tyler. 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 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,621 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 121 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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