Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Hilo, HI

    Is Hilo a good place to live?

    Watch Hilo

    Hilo ranks #3 of 10 Hawaii cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (53/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 1.3% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $455,100
    +9.0% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,347
    per month
    Household income
    $78,713
    median
    Unemployment
    7.2%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Hilo

    The median home value in Hilo is $455,100 and median rent is $1,347 a month, against a median household income of $78,713. Homes cost about 5.8× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Hilo crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Hawaii the 2025 rate was 214 violent and 1,682 property crimes per 100,000 people — #21 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Hilo, HI

    Hilo has about 48,223 residents, 7.2% unemployment and 21% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Hilo with

    Hilo vs Urban HonoluluHilo vs East HonoluluHilo vs Pearl CityHilo vs WaipahuHilo vs Kailua CDP (Honolulu County)Hilo vs KaneoheHilo vs Mililani TownHilo vs Kahului

    More: Where to move in Hawaii · Best counties in Hawaii

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report