Moving to Hilo? 7 Things You Should Know Before Moving! (2024)

You’ll find the town of Hilo on the eastern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, nestled in the South Hilo district.

Many people will tell you that Hilo isthe rainiest city in the U.S.i—but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

In fact, Hilo sits in the “tropicalrainforest” designation of theKöppen-Geiger Climate Classification System. In other words,there’s no dry season in Hilo.iiAs a result, the landscape in theNorth and South Hilo districts isone of the most verdant on theisland. Think waterfalls andplentifulplant life in vibrant shades of greens, pinks, reds, yellows, purples—almost every shade imaginable.

Additionally, Hilo holds the distinction of being theseatforthe County of Hawaii, as well ashome to the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Thetownis also the fourth-largest population center in the Hawaiian Islands.iii

If you’re considering a move to Hilo town–or one of the surrounding areas–you’re in the right place.We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make a smooth transition to this tropical destination. (Or, if you’re still considering other areas of the Big Island, don’t miss ourmust-knows about moving to Kona.)

We’ll start with one of the most commonquestions we hearfrompotential residents.

Must-Know #1: How Much Does It Cost to Live in Hilo?

We’ll be straight with you:It’s expensive to live in Hawaii, as compared to the otherstates in the U.S.However, Hilo has a reputation for being one of the less expensive places to live in Hawaii. AreaVibes,HomeSnacksandLivability all named Hilo high on their lists of more affordable places to live in Hawaii. Lower home prices are one of the main factors that keepHilo’s cost of living down.Take a lookat this Zillow data comparing Hilo to some other popular Hawaii destinations:

That said, you’ll still find that everyday necessities like groceries and utilitieswill likelycost more than you’re used to.To help with the cost, Hilo has plenty of farmers markets. Thesecan be a good source of fresh,local produce at better prices than you’llseeat the grocery store.You’ll also find a Costco in Kailua-Kona. Many residents make the drive to take advantage of the big box store’s deals.If you don’t want tojourneyall the way across the island,there’s also a Cost-U-Less in Hilo. Like Costco,this Canadian-ownedwarehouse storeoffersbargains on bulk buys.

The bottom line? Yes, Hilo is expensive. However, if buying a house is on your list of “musts,” Hilooffers a distinct advantage over other locations in Hawaii.

Must-Know #2: What Kind of Activities Will I Find?

Some consider Hilo the cultural center of the Big Island. Within the town of Hilo, you’ll find art galleries, boutiques, abook store, museums, restaurants, bars,and other attractions to keep you busy.

However, like the rest of the Big Island, Hilo really shines in terms of the access it offers you to Hawaii’s amazing outdoor wonders.Since you’ll be on the eastern side of the island, you’ll be surrounded by tropical rainforests, botanical gardens, and waterfalls, which you’ll find all up and down the coast. You’re alsoin close proximity toVolcanoes National Park, home to Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Additionally, with a little driving, you’ll be able to enjoy everything that the Big Island of Hawaii is known for: hiking, beaches, watersports, off-roading, and many more outdoor activities.

To get you started, check out our lists of things to do in andaround Hilo:

Must-Know#3:What’s the Weather Like?

Wealready discussedHilo’schampionship title for“Wettest City in the U.S.” However, what you may not realizeis that the amount of rainfall canbe dramatically different just a few miles away. For example:

• In downtown Hilo, the annual rainfall is about 146 inches.
• Eight miles north to Pepeekeo and you’ll see 155 inches of annual rainfall—even more as you head mauka(toward Mauna Kea).
• Eight miles west of Hilo, in the Hilo Forest Reserve, the annual rainfall is about 224 inches.v

Those are somebigdifferencesover a relativelysmall area.If you want toexplorethe mean annual rainfallin your new neighborhood,check out theRainfall Atlas of Hawaii.Their interactive map will show you exactly what toexpect.

Finally,whenit comes to average temperatures, Hilo’s weather is consistentyear-round.Expect lows between 64°F and 70°F and highs between 79°F and 83°Fvi.If you’re coming from an area with dramatic shifts between seasons, Hilo will feel like quite a change!

Must-Know #4: What Should I Bring? And What to Leave Behind?

Given theweather, the most important thing you’ll want to bring whenyou move to Hilois an umbrella or a light jacket. Life in Hawaii doesn’t stop when it rains. (How would you enjoy the rainbows?) Having an umbrella or a rain shell in easy reach willkeep you dry while yougo about your business as usual.

Additionally, if you own a dehumidifier, bringit with you. Runningit regularlyin your closet or your bedroom can help keep any potential moldor mildewat bay.In terms of whatnotto bring, we always recommenddownsizing before your move to Hawaii.In our experience, you’ll almost always need less than you think you will. Bring thebasics, andgetanything else you need after you arrive.

Must-Know#5: Where’s the Best Place to Live in Hilo?

It all depends on what you’re looking for. A good neighborhood for families? Peace and serenity? Easy access to Hilo town’s amenities?You’ll find a lot of great areas to live in and around Hilo. Your best bet is to match up your neighborhood with the kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy.

o get you started, check out theInsider’s Guide to Living in Hilo.We’llsharesome of our favorite neighborhoods, as well asoffer yousome ideas for where to shop and how to spend your time off in the area.

One note on renting:You’ll find it much easier toscore a rentalonce you’re already on island.We suggestsecuringtemporary housing while you look forsomething more permanent. This will also help you avoid theoccasionalrental scams that pop uponCraigslist and Facebook. While thesesitescan be good sources for leads, never put down a deposit on a place that you haven’t seen first.This will help you avoidthe majority ofthe schemes,which are fake rental listings featuring stolen pictures from realestate listings. Finally, if a deal seems way too good to be true, it probably is. Being on island and touring places in person will help you steer clear of these problems.

Must-Know #6: Can I Bring My Cat or Dog ?

Absolutely! Plenty of new residents bring their pets to Hawaii.However, becausethe Aloha Stateis a rabies-free locationwith a uniqueecosystem,there’s a little more involved than in your usual state-to-state move.

We’ve broken down everything you need to know in this article:The Complete Guide to Moving Your Dogs, Cats,and Other Pets to Hawaii.We’ll give you the run-down on all the paperwork and proceduresso you can bringyour best buddy with you when you move.

If you have a pet that’s more exotic than a dog or a cat,make sure tocheck theHawaii Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine’sguidelines forimporting animals. There are some surprising no-goson the list, including ferrets, gerbils, and snakes.

Must-Know#7: Should I Ship My Car?

We get asked this question all the time!In our opinion, you’lldefinitely needa car if you want to explore all that the Big Island has to offer.However, it’s important to recognize that shipping your vehicle is an investment in its future with you.If you plan to keep this car around, by all means,shipitto Hawaii. (And if it’s a truckwith good clearanceor a 4WD vehicle, it will serve you well on the Big Island, where off-roading is popular!)

On the flip side, if you plan to get rid of this carfairly soon,don’t ship it. Instead,bite the bullet and sell it where you are. Then, use the proceeds from thesale to buy a new or used car on the Big Islandonce you arrive.If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out our article onshipping your car, truck, or SUV to Hawaii.

Before we close out this topic, aquicktip:People on the Big Island honk considerably less than people on the mainland.In fact, many people consider it rude.Unless you’re trying to alert someone to danger, lay off the horn. Drive with aloha. You’ll make a lot more friends in your new home that way.

Making Your Home in Hilo

The Hilo side has a lot to offerincludingcharm andamenitiesof Hilo town;alush,tropical landscape;and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures in the surrounding environment. Plus, with these seveninsider tipsunderyour belt, you’llknow exactly what to expect, positioning you for a smooth transition to your new homein Hilo.

If you’re headedforHilo, we’d love to help you witha safe, easy, and affordablemove.Our Hilo-based teamdoesmainland moves,international moves,interisland moves, and local moves, so we canassistno matter where you’re starting from.Get started today with a complimentary quotefrom one of our experts.