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Hilo-Kailua, HI

Cost of living in Hawaii County, HI

Estimated monthly cost
$3,773/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 203,684 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,612 43%
Federal tax $502 13%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $416 11%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $233 6%
State tax $220 6%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Hawaii County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,575
per month
1 bedroom
$1,612
per month
2 bedroom
$2,075
per month
3 bedroom
$2,703
per month
4 bedroom
$3,023
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Hawaii County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$77,215
per year
Individual earnings
$40,773
per year
Per capita
$38,406
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Hawaii County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$486,400
Annual property tax
$1,392

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Hawaii County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$215
per month · 43¢/kWh
Natural gas
$18
per month
Annual total
$2,796
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Hawaii County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Hawaii County

State and local tax rates for Hawaii.

State income tax
11.0%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
4.4%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Hawaii County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.7 min
Drive alone
68.5%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
10.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Hawaii County

What it costs to live in Hawaii County each month.

Single person
$3,773
per month
  • Rent $1,612
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $416
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $502
  • State tax $220
Couple
$5,731
per month
  • Rent $2,075
  • Energy $280
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $689
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $934
  • State tax $469
Family
$8,587
per month
  • Rent $2,703
  • Energy $350
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $1,046
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $934
  • State tax $469

Frequently asked questions about Hawaii County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Hawaii County?

In Hawaii County, HI, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,612 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,075 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,703 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Hawaii County?

In Hawaii County, HI, the average household income is $77,215 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,773 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Hawaii County?

The estimated cost of living in Hawaii County, HI is approximately $3,773 per month for a single person, $5,731 for a couple, $8,587 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Hawaii County?

The combined sales tax rate in Hawaii County, HI is 4.44%, which includes the Hawaii state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 0.44%.

Is Hawaii County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Hawaii County, HI would need approximately $3,773 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $77,215 per year ($6,435 per month). Hawaii County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Hawaii County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Hawaii County, HI is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Hawaii County?

The average home value in Hawaii County, HI is $486,400, with average annual property taxes of $1,392, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Hawaii County compare to other areas?

You can compare Hawaii County, HI with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Hawaii County is in the Hilo-Kailua, HI metro area.

Other counties in Hawaii

Browse the full list of counties in Hawaii, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Hawaii

Compare Hawaii County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources