Cost of Living Comparison Between Hilo, HI and Wasilla, AK Cost of Living Comparison Between Hilo, HI and Wasilla, AK

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,661 per month in Hilo, HI vs $2,737 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,781 per month in Hilo, HI vs $3,730 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,900 per month in Hilo, HI vs $4,723 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

Hilo, HI is about 3% cheaper than Wasilla, AK, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Hilo, HI and Wasilla, AK sit above the global median – Hilo, HI by 99%, Wasilla, AK by 104%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.34 $17.34

$24.75 $24.75

-29.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.7 $78.7

$101 $101

-22.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.04 $11.04

$11.78 $11.78

-6.28%

Cappuccino

$7.73 $7.73

$4.62 $4.62

67.32%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.16 $2.16

10.65%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.03 $2.03

8.37%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.89 $5.89

$6.08 $6.08

-3.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.12 $6.12

$7.55 $7.55

-18.94%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.80 $1.80

$1.07 $1.07

68.22%

White Bread (500g)

$7.34 $7.34

$3.99 $3.99

83.96%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.33 $6.33

$2.22 $2.22

185.14%

Eggs

$8.74 $8.74

$3.44 $3.44

154.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.07 $13.07

$12.58 $12.58

3.90%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$10.82 $10.82

39.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.31 $23.31

$17.33 $17.33

34.51%

Apples (1kg)

$6.04 $6.04

$7.73 $7.73

-21.86%

Banana (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.00 $2.00

36.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$10.16 $10.16

$4.04 $4.04

151.49%

Tomato (1kg)

$10.96 $10.96

$3.75 $3.75

192.27%

Potato (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$2.37 $2.37

111.39%

Onion (1kg)

$7.91 $7.91

$2.93 $2.93

169.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$4.63 $4.63

$2.81 $2.81

64.77%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$2.23 $2.23

17.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.59 $13.59

$11.45 $11.45

18.69%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.04 $15.04

$16.39 $16.39

-8.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.72 $1.72

2.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.31 $3.31

$3.86 $3.86

-14.25%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.03 $2.03

-2.46%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$89.9 $89.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.64 $3.64

$2.78 $2.78

30.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.18 $1.18

$1.74 $1.74

-32.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.76 $28.76

$38.29 $38.29

-24.89%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.99 $0.99

21.21%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.0K $23.0K

$23.8K $23.8K

-3.29%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.6K $24.6K

$26.3K $26.3K

-6.28%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$283 $283

$177 $177

60.09%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$41.25 $41.25

$40.21 $40.21

2.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.3 $54.3

$123 $123

-55.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.0 $51.0

$43.74 $43.74

16.55%

Cinema Ticket

$12.32 $12.32

$11.91 $11.91

3.44%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,300 $1,300

$966 $966

34.56%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.6K $23.6K

$10.3K $10.3K

129.61%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$38.54 $38.54

$49.59 $49.59

-22.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$10.05 $10.05

$45.77 $45.77

-78.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.2 $77.2

$76.6 $76.6

0.82%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.6 $77.6

$92.5 $92.5

-16.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,600 $1,600

3.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,207 $1,207

$1,368 $1,368

-11.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,266 $2,266

$1,811 $1,811

25.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,603 $1,603

$1,677 $1,677

-4.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,412 $5,412

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,486 $5,486

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,508 $4,508

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.32

6.46

-2.17%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Hilo, HI: June 1, 2026

Last update for Wasilla, AK: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,653 in Hilo, HI versus $1,600 in Wasilla, AK. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Hilo, HI versus $101 in Wasilla, AK. Groceries tell a different story – $604 in Hilo, HI vs $403 in Wasilla, AK – so Wasilla, AK wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Hilo, HI vs Wasilla, AK: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Wasilla, AK costs about 3% more than Hilo, HI, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,991 per month in Hilo, HI and $4,106 in Wasilla, AK. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Hilo, HI, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Hilo, HI and $101 in Wasilla, AK. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 50% cheaper in Wasilla, AK – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,661 in Hilo, HI and $2,737 in Wasilla, AK. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Hilo, HI – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Hilo, HI. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Wasilla, AK makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.