2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hilo, HI vs Costa Mesa, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa or is it cheaper to live in Hilo?
- Costa Mesa is 25.0% more expensive than Hilo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Costa Mesa or Hilo?
- Costa Mesa housing costs are 157.1% more expensive than Hilo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hilo or is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa.
- Health related expenses are 6.3% less in Costa Mesa.
 Hilo, HICosta Mesa, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries152.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing135.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,097,500$338,100
 Utilities194  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock106.6100
 Miscellaneous108.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Hilo    10 Reviews

If you’re looking at Hilo, then you’re likely being recruited in the medical or education fields. These are where the greatest needs of the community lie, and there are  More

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Over 4 years ago

I enjoyed living in Hawaii County for a number of years, most in Hilo. While Hilo has problems, they are few compared to mainland USA. I never experienced racism by  More

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Over 4 years ago

Too much racism from "native Hawaiians" who aren't actually natives. That keeps me from living in that paradise. I'm this is the "natives" goal.  More

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Reviews for Costa Mesa    8 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

Costa mesa has awesome shopping but is way too crowded and I have had 3 cars stolen in the past 5 years along with countless break-ins and theft. Expensive. Close to  More

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Over 16 years ago

Costa Mesa has a near perfect climate . . . plenty of sun but rarely over 100 degrees (our house doesn't even have AC). Nestled between Newport Beach and Huntington  More

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We have a good amount of low-income, medium-income, and relatively high-income  More

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