2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hilo, HI vs Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Rancho Santa Margarita or is it cheaper to live in Hilo?
- Rancho Santa Margarita is 25.0% more expensive than Hilo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Rancho Santa Margarita or Hilo?
- Rancho Santa Margarita housing costs are 95.9% more expensive than Hilo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hilo or is Health Care more affordable in Rancho Santa Margarita.
- Health related expenses are 6.3% less in Rancho Santa Margarita.
 Hilo, HIRancho Santa Margarita, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries152.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing135.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$863,100$338,100
 Utilities194  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock117.4100
 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 Rancho Santa Margarita    13 Reviews

This page provides little information on RSM. I see they keep describing the area as "outside of Los Angeles." Culturally, it is so far from Los Angeles (I lived in LA,  More

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Over 10 years ago

The weather here is amazing. We get a few hot days in the summer but it cools down in the evening. I love being able to sleep with the windows  More

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This is the best place to live in South Orange County with mild temperatures, low crime, great schools and family orientated. RSM is a city that sits in a pocket backing  More

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