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 $2,878 per month in Hilo, HI vs $2,867 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,076 per month in Hilo, HI vs $4,083 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,274 per month in Hilo, HI vs $5,300 in Wasilla, AK, rent included.

Hilo, HI and Wasilla, AK have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Hilo, HI and Wasilla, AK sit above the global median – Hilo, HI by 109%, Wasilla, AK by 108%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.64 $19.64

$22.35 $22.35

-12.13%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.5 $80.5

$98.1 $98.1

-17.94%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.86 $10.86

$11.89 $11.89

-8.66%

Cappuccino

$5.51 $5.51

$4.03 $4.03

36.72%

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

$2.44 $2.44

$2.03 $2.03

20.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$2.02 $2.02

12.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.62 $6.62

$5.48 $5.48

20.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.04 $7.04

$7.87 $7.87

-10.55%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.80 $1.80

$1.18 $1.18

52.54%

White Bread (500g)

$9.93 $9.93

$3.00 $3.00

231.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.45 $5.45

$6.03 $6.03

-9.62%

Eggs

$6.83 $6.83

$3.30 $3.30

106.97%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.66 $19.66

$13.68 $13.68

43.71%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$22.03 $22.03

$10.23 $10.23

115.35%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$26.08 $26.08

$15.69 $15.69

66.22%

Apples (1kg)

$8.17 $8.17

$8.39 $8.39

-2.62%

Banana (1kg)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.21 $2.21

10.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$8.66 $8.66

$3.76 $3.76

130.32%

Tomato (1kg)

$10.88 $10.88

$4.47 $4.47

143.40%

Potato (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

Onion (1kg)

$8.63 $8.63

$3.50 $3.50

146.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$4.65 $4.65

$2.75 $2.75

69.09%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.33 $2.33

31.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.89 $11.89

$12.61 $12.61

-5.71%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.83 $14.83

$17.47 $17.47

-15.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.74 $1.74

1.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.40 $3.40

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.94 $1.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$59.7 $59.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.36 $4.36

$2.71 $2.71

60.89%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.12 $1.12

$1.73 $1.73

-35.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$38.52 $38.52

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.40 $1.40

$0.99 $0.99

41.41%

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

$28.8K $28.8K

$34.4K $34.4K

-16.11%

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

$24.6K $24.6K

$25.4K $25.4K

-2.82%

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

$369 $369

$275 $275

34.01%

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

$67.6 $67.6

$49.08 $49.08

37.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.6 $69.6

$142 $142

-50.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.33 $49.33

$85.8 $85.8

-42.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.48 $34.48

Cinema Ticket

$13.24 $13.24

$8.67 $8.67

52.71%

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

$1,224 $1,224

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.3K $10.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.66 $24.66

$48.86 $48.86

-49.53%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.47 $30.47

$45.58 $45.58

-33.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.8 $66.8

$79.0 $79.0

-15.50%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.3 $76.3

$91.2 $91.2

-16.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,949 $1,949

$1,395 $1,395

39.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,200 $1,200

$1,389 $1,389

-13.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,262 $2,262

$2,014 $2,014

12.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,589 $1,589

$1,980 $1,980

-19.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,322 $5,322

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,341 $5,341

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,565 $4,565

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.1

6.05

0.83%

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

Last update for Hilo, HI: September 6, 2026

Last update for Wasilla, AK: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,949 in Hilo, HI versus $1,395 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 $81.0 in Hilo, HI versus $98.0 in Wasilla, AK. Groceries tell a different story – $669 in Hilo, HI vs $415 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

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,317 per month in Hilo, HI and $4,301 in Wasilla, AK. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 61% more in Hilo, HI, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Hilo, HI and $98.0 in Wasilla, AK. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,878 in Hilo, HI and $2,867 in Wasilla, AK. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Wasilla, AK – 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 Wasilla, AK. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hilo, HI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.