At $2,129/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,129 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($81,779) is $2,044 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,000); a 3-bedroom is $2,610.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Hilo. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Hilo, HI has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Hilo on your salary?
At $2,129/mo, how Hilo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Hilo rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Hilo. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Hilo
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Hilo is $2,129/mo as of October 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.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Hilo?
How does Hilo rent compare to other cities in Hawaii?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hilo?
At $2,129/mo, rent takes ~31% of Hilo's median household income ($81,779/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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