Is Hilo Safe, Pros and cons of living in Hilo

Hilo, Hawaii, located on the eastern side of the Big Island, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and island living. Known for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and the ever-present influence of volcanic activity, Hilo presents a distinct lifestyle for its residents. Understanding the various facets of life in Hilo is crucial for anyone considering a move to this Pacific paradise.

The city is characterized by its tropical rainforest climate, frequent rainfall, and stunning natural attractions like waterfalls and botanical gardens. Hilo’s community is diverse, with a rich cultural heritage that influences its daily life and traditions. This introduction will explore the essential aspects of living in Hilo, from safety and cost of living to employment opportunities and the quality of its educational institutions.

Is it Safe to Live in Hilo?

Hilo experiences a crime rate that is higher than the national average, with a total crime rate of 38.40 per 1,000 residents (according to AreaVibes). Violent crime in Hilo is reported to be 23% lower than the national average, but property crime is 41% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Hilo is approximately 1 in 37 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Motor vehicle theft is a particular concern, with Hilo having one of the highest rates in the nation (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). While the southwest part of the city is generally considered the safest, crime rates can vary significantly by neighborhood, with chances of victimization ranging from 1 in 12 in the northern neighborhoods to 1 in 51 in the southwest (according to AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Market and Cost of Living

The cost of living in Hilo is considerably higher than the national average, with an overall index of 46.2% higher (as reported by Apartments.com). Housing expenses are a significant factor, being approximately 48.6% more expensive than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). The median listing price for a home in Hilo is around $563,000 (as reported by Redfin), with the median sale price per square foot at $425 (as reported by Redfin).

Rental costs in Hilo are also notable. The average rent in Hilo is approximately $1,149 per month, which is 30% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). However, other essential costs are also elevated; groceries are about 48.8% higher than the national average, and utilities can be as much as 118.1% higher (as reported by Apartments.com).

Home Prices and Rental Averages

The Hilo housing market shows a median listing price of $500,000 (as reported by Realtor.com). In March 2026, home prices in Hilo saw an increase of 11.8% compared to the previous year, with homes selling for a median price of $563,000 (as reported by Redfin). The average time on the market for homes in Hilo has increased significantly, with homes selling after 175 days on average in March 2026, compared to 98 days the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

Rental prices in Hilo present a varied picture. While some sources indicate an average rent of $1,149 per month (as reported by Apartments.com), others suggest a median rent of $2,300 (as reported by Zumper) or an average rent of $2,000 (as reported by Zillow). Rental prices have seen an increase over the past year, with some reports indicating a 20% rise year-over-year (as reported by Hilo Housing Market & Rental trends) and others showing a 28% increase in the last year (as reported by Redfin).

Job Market and Economy

The average annual salary in Hilo is approximately $70,788, which breaks down to about $34.03 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Salaries in Hilo typically range between $41,508 and $97,000 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources provide slightly different figures, with an average salary of $70,094 per year (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert) and another indicating an average annual salary of $62,828 (as reported by ReadySetHire).

The unemployment rate in Hawaii County, which includes Hilo, was 2.4% as of January 2026 (as reported by USAFacts and FRED). This rate represents a decrease from the previous year (as reported by USAFacts). The employment rate in Hilo is currently around 91.80% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).

Major Employers and Industries

Major employers in Hilo include large retail chains such as Walmart, Target, and Sam’s Club (as reported by Indeed.com). Other significant employers encompass companies like McDonald’s, FedEx, UPS, Starbucks, and the United States Postal Service (as reported by Indeed.com). The University of Hawaii at Hilo is also a notable employer, contributing to the local economy and providing educational opportunities (as reported by Indeed.com).

Industries that are prominent in Hilo include retail, healthcare, education, and tourism. The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) is a unique state-funded agency focused on space exploration and sustainable technologies (as reported by Zippia). HPM Building Supply is another significant local business with a long history in Hawaii (as reported by Zippia).

Climate and Environment

Hilo experiences a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity year-round. Average temperatures typically range from 61°F to 81°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city is known for its significant rainfall, with an annual precipitation of approximately 159 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

November is generally the wettest month, receiving an average of 360mm of rain (as reported by U.S. Climate Data and myPerfectWeather). While Hilo receives abundant rainfall, which contributes to its lush environment, it also means that cloudy days are common, with roughly half of the days in Hilo being completely cloudy (as reported by Love Big Island).

Temperature and Rainfall Patterns

Throughout the year, temperatures in Hilo remain relatively stable, with average highs in September reaching 81°F and average lows in January around 61°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 25°C (76°F), while January is the coolest at 22°C (72°F) (as reported by U.S. Climate Data). The period from May to November can feel uncomfortably humid (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Hilo receives substantial rainfall, with downtown Hilo getting about 142 inches annually, considerably more than other parts of the island (as reported by Love Big Island). The wettest month is November, while June is typically the driest (as reported by Love Big Island). This consistent rainfall sustains the vibrant tropical vegetation Hilo is known for.

Education System

Hilo’s public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% and a reading proficiency score of 48% (as reported by Niche). These scores are slightly below the statewide averages for Hawaii public schools (as reported by Niche). The schools in Hilo generally receive an average ranking of 7 out of 10, placing them in the top 50% of Hawaii’s public schools (as reported by Niche).

The student body in Hilo’s public schools is highly diverse, with 93% of students being of minority backgrounds, predominantly Hispanic (as reported by Niche). Key educational institutions in Hilo include Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School, Waiakea High School, and Waiakeawaena Elementary School, which are among the top-ranked public schools in the area (as reported by Niche).

School Performance and Ratings

Top-ranked public schools in Hilo include Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School, Waiakea High School, and Waiakeawaena Elementary School (as reported by Niche). While these schools perform well, others like Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School and Connections – New Century PCS face challenges with lower test scores and high chronic absenteeism (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). There is a noted correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with schools serving more students from low-income families often showing lower test scores (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Niche provides overall ratings for Hilo schools, with Waiakea High School receiving a grade B and a rating of 3.49 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). St. Joseph School – Hilo, a private institution, has a strong rating of 4.45 out of 5 (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Population

As of the most recent census data, Hilo is home to approximately 50,404 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Hilo is around 42.6 years, with a fairly even distribution across age groups, including about 16.5% children under 15 and 22.7% individuals aged 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).

The racial composition of Hilo is diverse. Asian residents make up 34.8% of the population, followed by those of two or more races at 34.7% and Caucasian at 14.9% (as reported by Point2Homes). Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders constitute 13.4% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes).

Population Trends and Diversity

Hilo is currently growing at a rate of approximately 0.78% annually, with its population increasing by 9.11% since the 2020 census (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is nearly evenly split between males and females, with 47.7% male and 52.3% female (as reported by Point2Homes). In terms of citizenship, 87.4% of residents are US-born citizens, with an additional 7.1% being naturalized citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

The household structure in Hilo consists of an average of 3 members per household, with 63% of households being families and 37% composed of individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income in Hilo is reported at $81,779, with a poverty rate of 14.52% (as reported by Point2Homes).