Median Age
42 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 13% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
24%
Hilo
Hilo, HI Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,149
Population
50,686
Renter Mix
39% Rent
Enjoy a small-town atmosphere in a stunning environment
Coastal
•
Picturesque
•
Tropical
•
Peaceful
•
Active
•
Mountain Views
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Situated on the island of Hawaii’s eastern coast, Hilo is a charming community rich with natural beauty and cultural delights. Hilo’s daily rain maintains its lush greenery, keeping its rainforests fertile and its gardens in bloom. Hilo is home to the only rainforest zoo in the United States, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, which boasts an extensive collection of exotic plants and animals.
Hilo is also home to a welcoming community, which often gathers in the many art galleries, museums, restaurants, and shops of walkable Downtown Hilo, in addition to the Hilo Farmers Market. The University of Hawaii at Hilo also fosters a sense of community, touting a variety of cultural and educational opportunities.
Outdoor recreation is, naturally, a big part of life in Hilo. Richardson Ocean Park, Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, Kaumana Caves, Wailuku River State Park, and Rainbow Falls are among Hilo’s most popular outdoor destinations. Hilo is also within easy driving distance of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Hilo’s laidback vibe and tropical locale continue to draw residents to the community. Commuting and traveling from Hilo is a breeze with access to Mamalahoa Highway and Hilo International Airport.
Explore the City
Explore lush vegetation at Wailuku River State Park.
There are plenty of local restaurants to satisfy anyone.
Watch the sunset from the shore of Hilo.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$72,471
Average: $95,964
Education
15,283
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
23,683
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Hilo has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
39%
Non-Renters
61%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
24%
Other Education
76%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Hilo, HI is $1,156 for a studio, $1,149 for one bedroom, $856 for two bedrooms, and $1,984 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Hilo has decreased by -4.7% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,149/month
492 Sq Ft
House
$2,699/month
793 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Hilo, HI is 46.2% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Hilo is 48.6% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $856 - $1,984. You can expect to pay 48.8% more for groceries, 118.1% more for utilities, and 45.5% more for transportation.
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Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Hilo, HI is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
30
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
486 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
240 Students
Waiakeawaena Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
684 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
422 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
166 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
473 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
774 Students
Connections - New Century Public Charter School
Public
Grades K-12
340 Students
Ka Umeke Kaeo - Public Charter School
Public
Grades PK-12
263 Students
Ke Ana Laahana - Public Charter School
Public
Grades 6-12
34 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,297 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,317 Students
Connections - New Century Public Charter School
Public
Grades K-12
340 Students
Ka Umeke Kaeo - Public Charter School
Public
Grades PK-12
263 Students
Ke Ana Laahana - Public Charter School
Public
Grades 6-12
34 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
- Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii
- Wailuku River State Park
- Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo
- Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
Airports
- Hilo International
Top Apartments in Hilo
Houses for Rent in Hilo
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.