Hilo, Hawaii Income Statistics
Hilo Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Hilo Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Hilo | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $81,763 | $100,437 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $56,658 | $61,841 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.0% | 4.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.4% | 14.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 14.0% | 18.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Hilo is about 19% lower than in Hawaii. Income has been growing faster in Hilo (5.0%/yr) than in Hawaii (4.2%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Hilo earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Hawaii average of 15%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Hilo, Hawaii grew by 48.6% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $81,763 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Hilo
| Metric | Hilo | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.542 | 0.529 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $69,340 | $70,324 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $53,254 | $58,751 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.2% | 16.5% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Hilo, it is 0.542, higher than Hawaii's 0.529, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 30% more than women's income in Hilo, Hawaii. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $563,010 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Hilo, Hawaii has widened from about 20% to 23% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 25% in 2021, and was narrowest at 13% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,602 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in Hilo widened by 3.2 points while Hawaii's narrowed by 3.0 points.
Employment
| Metric | Hilo | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.9% | 9.6% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,682 people are unemployed in Hilo, Hawaii.
The average commute time in Hilo is 15 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Hawaii.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Hilo, Hawaii has fallen from 9.2% to 6.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.2% in 2013 and fell as low as 5.8% in 2018.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Hilo, Hawaii has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Hawaii, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Hilo, Hawaii.
How Rich Is Hilo, Hawaii?
Hilo has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $81,763, about 19% lower than the Hawaii average of $100,437.
How fast is household income rising in Hilo, Hawaii?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Hilo, Hawaii rose 49%, from $55,007 to $81,763. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Hawaii as a whole: +49% against +54%.
What was the median household income in Hilo in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Hilo, Hawaii was $80,102, up 6% from $75,492 in 2022. The Hawaii median that year was $98,432.
What was the median household income in Hilo in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Hilo, Hawaii was $65,587. By 2024 it had risen 25% to $81,763.
How strong is the job market in Hilo, Hawaii?
Unemployment in Hilo, Hawaii is 6.9%, well above the Hawaii rate of 4.6%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Hilo, Hawaii?
The Gini coefficient in Hilo is 0.542. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Hilo, Hawaii?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Hilo, Hawaii has widened from about 20% to 23% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 25% in 2021, and was narrowest at 13% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,602 since 2009.
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