🇺🇸 Hilo,
United States
#2730
Nomad Score
5.3
Coords
19.7073734, -155.0815800
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Hilo, Hawaii County, Big Island, Hawaii, USA |
| 👥 Population | 45,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Spectrum Fiber/Hawaiian Telcom (up to 1 Gbps), typical 200 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | US Dollar ($). Local banks: First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable (Highly rated municipal water) |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T. Prepaid plans ~$40-60/month |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Wise, Revolut, Charles Schwab (for US residents) |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Short-term: Airbnb, VRBO. Long-term: Craigslist, local property managers like Day-Lum |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, credit cards accepted nearly everywhere; farmers markets prefer cash |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, VRBO (Prices range $120 - $250/night) |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | The Big Island Hostel ($45/dorm, $85/private), Hilo Bay Hostel |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Hilo Bayfront / Banyan Drive (close to Liliuokalani Gardens) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Kaumana (cooler, quieter) or Downtown Hilo (walkable to cafes) |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | HI-Impact Hilo ($25/day, $250/month), located on Kilauea Ave |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Booch Bar (Bayfront), Starbucks (Prince Kuhio Plaza), Just出 (Hutch) Cafe |
| 💼 Networking Events | Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce monthly events, Rotary Club of Hilo |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Hilo Town Market (Fridays), Meetup.com 'Hilo Social' groups |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber, Lyft (limited availability at night), Hilo Taxi ($25-40 for local trips) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Hibi-Bikes (Bike share stations Downtown), Mid Pacific Rentals |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Carlsmith Beach Park (Keaukaha), Richardsons Ocean Park (black sand) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | United, American, Delta (direct flights to LAX/SEA/SFO) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Highway 11 (South to Volcano), Highway 19 (North to Kona/Waimea) |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Hele-On Bus Terminal (Mo’oheau Bus Terminal, Bayfront) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Hele-On Bus (Currently fare-free/subsidized through 2026) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Inter-island flights via Hilo International (ITO) or bus to Kona ($0-$2) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hilo Medical Center (1190 Waianuenue Ave) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Centered ($20 drop-in), Big Island Yoga Center |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Penn Fitness Centers ($15 day pass), Planet Fitness |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Hilo Laundromat (811 Kanoelehua Ave), Sunshine Laundromat |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | DoorDash, Express Waiters (local delivery service) |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Loco Moco (Café 100 - $8-12), Poke (Suisan Fish Market - $15-22) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Conscious Culture Cafe, Vibe Cafe |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Two Ladies Kitchen (Mochi), Big Island Candies (Shortbread) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Hilo Farmers Market (Wednesday/Saturday), Target, KTA Super Stores |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon (Prime takes 3-7 days to Hawaii), Walmart.com |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart (Safeway, Target) |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Bayfront Downtown Hilo (Hilo Town Tavern, Ola Brew Co.) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Ola Brew Co. (Taproom on Terrace Drive) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Blues & Chartreuse (Downtown) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Hilo Farmers Market food section, various food trucks on Kawili St |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Miyo's (Japanese), Puka Puka Kitchen (Fusion) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Rainbow Falls (Wailuku River State Park), Kaumana Caves |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Lyman Museum & Mission House, Imiloa Astronomy Center |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Pacific Tsunami Museum, Palace Theater |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Haili Church, Hilo Hongwanji Mission |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Merrie Monarch Festival (Hula competition - April), Hilo Town Market |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Downtown Hilo Waterfront |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Palace Theater (1925 historic venue) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Hilo Farmers Market (Corner of Mamo St & Bayfront) |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Hilo Town Tavern (Live bands), Palace Theater concerts |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals along Kamehameha Ave and Kilauea Ave |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Hawaii Community College culinary events/workshops |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Wailoa Center, Extreme Exposure Fine Art Gallery |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | District Courthouse and Police Station, Federal Building |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Native Hawaiian culture, sugar plantation history |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Akaka Falls State Park ($5 entry), Onomea Bay Trail |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (45 mins away - $30 per car) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Banyan Drive Loop, Bayfront Trail |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Honoli’i Beach Park (Surfer lookout), Boiling Pots |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Wailoa River State Park, Saddle Road (Palila Forest Discovery Trail) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Generally discouraged on beaches; check County permit requirements |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | USPS (most reliable for PO Boxes), FedEx, UPS |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | The Computer Repair Shop Hilo, iPhone Repair Hilo |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ben Franklin Crafts (community tables), Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium (events) |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | University of Hawaii at Hilo (Hawaiian language programs) |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Hilo Public Library (300 Waianuenue Ave) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Aupuni Center, Hilo Armory |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamestop (Retail only), local university student lounges |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Illegal in Hawaii (No casinos) |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $172,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $120,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $240,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $304,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 21% Federal + Hawaii State Corporate Tax (approx 4.4% to 6.4%) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Generally 0% to 30% depending on residency and treaties |
| 🏦 Tax System | US Federal and State (Hawaii) income tax system |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 37% Federal + 11% Hawaii State |
| 🧾 VAT | 0% VAT (Hawaii uses General Excise Tax / GET of ~4.166% - 4.712%) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, US GILTI and Subpart F rules apply |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on assessed value (~0.6% - 1.1% depending on usage) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Conveyance tax scale (approx 0.10% to 1.25% of sale price) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific digital nomad tax breaks; high state income tax |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING HILO