2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hilo, HI vs Kapaa, HI

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Kapaa or is it cheaper to live in Hilo?
- Kapaa is 17.2% more expensive than Hilo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Kapaa or Hilo?
- Kapaa housing costs are 70.9% more expensive than Hilo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hilo or is Health Care more affordable in Kapaa.
- Health related expenses are 0.4% less in Kapaa.
 Hilo, HIKapaa, HIUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.6100
 Food & Groceries152.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock99.3100
 Housing135.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$854,000$338,100
 Utilities194  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.6100
 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 Kapaa    4 Reviews

I have lived on Kaua'i, Hawai'i for about two years now, with about 20 years of prior vacationing (up to 1 month). Living here is much different than vacationing here,  More

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Over 7 years ago

My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Kapaa in July of 2017. As tourists we found it a wonderful place. There were ample places to eat and shop for souvenirs.   More

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Over 8 years ago

For many, Kapaa is considered middle of the island in a way. Whether you are going North or going South, Kapaa seems to be a great midway point. There are tons of  More

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