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City Report · HI

Hilo

Pop. 50,404·21st most expensive in Hawaii·Rental market data updated monthly for Hilo, HI
Median rent (all units)
$2,088/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.3%
vs US Median
+$126
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hilo · $2,088
More expensive than 63% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,088/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$84,000/yr
Local median income
$81,779/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Hilo's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,520
1 BR
$1,550
2 BR
$2,000
3 BR
$2,610
4 BR+
$2,910
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,000/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,088 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$25,056/yr
At $2,088/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hilo, HI is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 34.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
50,404
Median income
$81,779
Median age
42.7
Renters
33.9%
Age distribution
20%
20.8%
23.3%
13.1%
22.7%
Under 1820%
18–3420.8%
35–5423.3%
55–6413.1%
65+22.7%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
14.9%
34.8%
38.6%
White14.9%
Black0.7%
Hispanic11%
Asian34.8%
Other38.6%
Education (25+)
28%
31.6%
34.6%
No HS diploma5.8%
HS diploma28%
Some college31.6%
Bachelor's+34.6%
Housing tenure
66.1%
33.9%
Owner66.1%
Renter33.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Hilo, HI has changed in 5 years

Income
$70,356 → $81,779
up 16.2%
Population
46,559 → 50,404
up 8.3%
Renter share
35.7% → 33.9%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
34.1% → 34.6%
+0.5 pts
Median age
39.9 → 42.7
+2.8 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $70,356 in 2021 to $81,779 more recently. Census counts show Hilo, HI adding about 3,845 residents over the five-year window, up 8.3% on net. The renter share has eased from 35.7% to 33.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Hilo

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View Hilo rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Hilo on your salary?

At $2,088/mo, how Hilo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hilo rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Hilo. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hilo

About renting in Hilo, HI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Hilo is $2,088/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,520/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,000/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,550/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,610/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($81,779/yr), Hilo ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hilo an affordable city for renters?

Hilo is considered moderate for renters. At $2,088/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($81,779/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hilo slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Hilo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $84,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,088/mo in Hilo. The local median household income is $81,779/yr, meaning the typical Hilo household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hilo?

Rent in Hilo has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Hilo rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?

Hilo is one of the more affordable cities in Hawaii for rent, ranking #21 out of 21 tracked cities at $2,088/mo.

What percentage of Hilo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.9% of Hilo households are renters, while 66.1% are owner-occupied. Hilo leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hilo rent compare to the national average?

Hilo's median rent of $2,088/mo is $126 (6%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Hawaii, it ranks #21 out of 21 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $2,088/mo, rent takes ~31% of Hilo's median household income ($81,779/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hilo 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–11%
Run the Hilo affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hilo
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hilo, HI

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