Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Hilo is a mid-sized city located in the state of Hawaii. The city has a population of 47,057 inhabitants. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Hilo will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 18 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Hilo is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Hawaii, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Hilo and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, education, employment and other important metrics.
Hilo, HI receives 61 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #69 in Hawaii and #17,105 in the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Hilo has received high marks for employment (B-) and housing (B+). There are some categories that Hilo scores poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (D-) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Hilo excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Assuming that Hilo meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Hilo. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Hilo are simply unattainable. The median home price for Hilo homes is $600,360, which is 37.6% lower than the Hawaii average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Hilo, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.2, which is 29.5% lower than the Hawaii average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Hilo | Hawaii | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 72.9% | 66.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 15.5% | 14.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 6.7% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.9% | 4.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.5% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
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