2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Hilo, HI vs Santa Maria, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Santa Maria, is 4% more than it is in Hilo and is 6% above the National Average.
- Hilo unemployment rate is 8.4%.
- Santa Maria unemployment rate is 11.6%.
 Hilo, HISanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock11.6%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock0.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth33.5%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes4.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock8.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$34,678  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$73,300$69,021
 Family Median Income$87,016  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Hilo, HISanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock6.5%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K4.3%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock6.7%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K6.7%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock8.1%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K6.4%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock10.2%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K13.0%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock18.2%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K10.2%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock5.4%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Hilo, HISanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Management, business, finance14.3%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock3.5%6.5%
 Community, social services2.1%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.4%1.2%
 Education, library9.5%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock1.4%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology5.7%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock5.1%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement4.1%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock4.4%5.4%
 Building maintenance5.0%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.3%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support22.3%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock20.7%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair7.8%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock13.9%13.1%
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Hilo

Reviews for Santa Maria    12 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

I live in Orcutt which is a town of around 35,000 on the south side of Santa Maria. Santa Maria has, as everyone has noted, the best climate in the world. It never  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in Santa Maria / Orcutt for several years, but it is time to leave. I have no issues with the weather. Our climate is mild and comfortable with no extremes.  More

   |    Reply

The weather is very mild without a huge temperature change with the seasons. The winters are chilly but not cold and the summers are warm but not hot. Of course there  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Maria


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.