City profile
Hilo, HI
Laid-back, lush Big Island town near Volcanoes National Park, more affordable than Oahu.
Climate
Climate type
Warm & sunny
Winter avg
71°F
Summer avg
77°F
Sunny days / yr
120
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$450,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,643
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
160
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.27%
- State income tax (top)
- 11%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 4.50%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 99/100
Top hazards: Volcanic activity, Earthquake, Riverine flooding
Nearest major airport
63 mi to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 60% Democratic / 37% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
50,404
Growth since 2019
+11.9%
Median age
42.7
Residents 65+
22.4%
Median household income
$81,779
Income growth since 2019
+29.2%
Black household income
$2,499
Home ownership
66.1%
Poverty rate
14.5%
Poverty rate, 65+
9.1%
Race & ethnicity: Black 0.7% · White 14.3% · Hispanic 11.0% · Asian 34.2% · Other 39.8%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
287 · 13% below the national average
Property crime
1,924 · 24% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Hawaii Police Department. State average: violent 214, property 1,682.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving HI than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home insurance premiums are rising quickly here
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: wildfire, hurricanes
Highlights
- Lush tropical scenery
- More affordable than Honolulu
- Volcanoes National Park
Trade-offs
- Very rainy
- Limited specialists
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.