Hilo, Hawaii
In Hilo, Hawaii, a gallon of regular gas costs $5.46 as of 2026-04-01 — $1.40 above the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $2,490, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Hilo's cost-of-living index of 138 puts it above the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$5.46
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$2,490
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$25.57
Combo meal
Electricity
39.79¢
per kWh · ~$358/mo
Car Insurance
$110/mo
$1,320/yr
Median Household Income
$77,215
51.8% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,320 in Hilo. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Hilo residents actually pay.
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $2,490/mo in Hilo. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$6.32 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$9.82 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$8.26 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$2.38 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$6.30 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$14.25 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$6.76 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$5.47 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$6.11 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$3.47 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.72 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$9.60 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$6.41 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$7.79 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$10.48 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.02 | $6.32 | +25.9% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.93 | $9.82 | +23.8% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.01 | $8.26 | +17.8% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.78 | $2.38 | +33.7% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.02 | $6.30 | +25.5% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $10.27 | $14.25 | +38.8% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $4.68 | $6.76 | +44.4% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.73 | $5.47 | +15.6% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.44 | $6.11 | +12.3% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.71 | $3.47 | +28.0% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.15 | $2.72 | +26.5% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.91 | $9.60 | +38.9% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.28 | $6.41 | +21.4% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.91 | $7.79 | +31.8% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $7.72 | $10.48 | +35.8% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$25.57
Casual Dining
$51.09
Monthly Spend
$783.71
+4.73% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $15.85
$25.57
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $17.90
$27.62
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $19.18
$28.64
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $8.29
$11.51
+38.8%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Hilo?
Average 1BR: $2,042/mo · 2BR: $2,938/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
74k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,113
$58k/yr
Top Sector
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Household vs Worker Pay
$77k
household median
Employment by Sector — Hilo
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$50k/yr
~$47k/yr
~$56k/yr
~$59k/yr
~$78k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 15001
Highest Paying Sector
Public Administration
$1,611/wk · $84k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Other Services
$895/wk · $47k/yr
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