2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Mateo, CA vs Hilo, HI

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Hilo is 47.2% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Hilo or San Mateo?
- Hilo housing costs are 74.8% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Hilo.
- Health related expenses are 15.1% less in Hilo.
 San Mateo, CAHilo, HIUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.9100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock99.7100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$463,400$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock85.3100
 Miscellaneous161.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

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I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

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Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

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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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