How much does it cost to rent in Hilo, HI?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Hilo, HI is $2,095. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Hilo cheaper than other Hawaii cities?

Hilo is among the more affordable cities in Hawaii, ranking #21 out of 21 cities at $2,095/mo.

When was Hilo rent data last updated?

Hilo rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Hilo a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Hilo is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · HI

Hilo

Name: Average Rent Prices in Hilo, HI
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 50,404·21st most expensive in Hawaii·Rental market data updated monthly for Hilo, HI

Median rent (all units)

$2,095/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-2.1%

vs US Median

+$130

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Hilo · $2,095

More expensive than 64% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

31% of income

MODERATE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,095/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

Research median

$2,000/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$25,140/yr

At $2,095/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 $2,095/mo, how Hilo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $102,038/yr · Rent = 24.6% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $72,446/yr · Rent = 34.7% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $83,452/yr · Rent = 30.1% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $149,159/yr · Rent = 16.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $190,588/yr · Rent = 13.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $67,835/yr · Rent = 37.1% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $61,247/yr · Rent = 41% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $75,492/yr · Rent = 33.3% income

stretched

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hilo is $2,095/mo as of July 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 $2,095/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 $2,095/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 July 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 $2,095/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.