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Chloe Brooks moving

Is Hilo worth moving to in 2026?

I've been here for 10 years and Median household income is $78,713, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 48,223, Hilo is a smaller city. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes

11 Replies

Theresa B.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The walkability scene is pretty good

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Audrey Brooks
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
Roman Robinson
great question, following
35 upvotes
Eliana R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Aaliyah Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 39, moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Pine Hills and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
18 upvotes
Nova Lewis
underrated comment
17 upvotes
Jayden Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's pretty good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.

People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Joseph Bennett
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
Serenity B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to San Francisco it's decent.
15 upvotes
Anna Flores
preach
3 upvotes
Leah Gomez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
2 upvotes
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