Top Neighborhoods
Hilo CDP Neighborhood Guide: Real Talk for Relocators
Hilo CDP isn't Waikiki's backyard—it's the real Hawaii where locals live, work, and surf. Choosing the right neighborhood here means the difference between a 5-minute drive to your favorite poke spot or sitting in traffic on the Bayfront Highway during rush hour. This guide cuts through the tourist fluff to give you the straight dope on where to plant your roots.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Hilo CDP
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waiakea | Family-centric, established | $1,600-$2,200 | Families wanting space | ~68 |
| Keaukaha | Beach town, laid-back | $1,400-$1,900 | Surfers, beach lovers | ~55 |
| Pana'ewa | Rural, affordable | $1,200-$1,600 | Budget-conscious renters | ~45 |
| Kaumana | Suburban, quiet | $1,500-$2,000 | Remote workers | ~62 |
| Hilo Downtown | Urban, walkable | $1,300-$1,800 | Young professionals | ~82 |
Waiakea
Overview: This is Hilo's gold standard for families—established 1960s subdivisions with actual sidewalks and streetlights. Drive down Kalaniana'ole Avenue and you'll see why locals fight over these properties.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,600 - $2,200/mo (1BR) | $2,000 - $2,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $485k - $520k
- 🚗 Commute: 8 min to downtown | 15 min to Hilo Medical Center
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~68 (Somewhat walkable)
Local Intel: The Waiakea Shopping Center is your lifeline—Foodland for poke, Longs for everything else. Avoid Kilauea Avenue between 3-4 PM; it's a nightmare with school pickup. Hidden gem: Waiakea Pond for sunset walks without tourist crowds.
Who Thrives Here: Families with elementary-age kids who want trick-or-treating on actual streets, not parking lots.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Lowest violent crime rate in Hilo (156/100k vs. 234/100k citywide)
- ✅ Walking distance to Waiakea Elementary (rated 8/10 GreatSchools)
- ❌ Zero nightlife—this is bedrock suburbia
- ❌ Competitive housing market; expect bidding wars on decent listings
Schools: Waiakea District, overall above average. Waiakea Elementary and Waiakea Intermediate are solid; Waiakea High is the community's pride.
The Verdict: Move here if you want the Hilo dream—yard, community, safety. Avoid if you're under 30 and want bars within walking distance.
Keaukaha
Overview: Keaukaha is where Hilo meets the Pacific—literally. The neighborhood hugs the coast from Richardson Beach to 4 Miles. Expect salt air in your hair and surfboards in most driveways.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,400 - $1,900/mo (1BR) | $1,800 - $2,400/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $465k - $500k
- 🚗 Commute: 12 min to downtown | 20 min to Hilo Medical Center
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~55 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: Richardson Ocean Park is your backyard—free parking, clean bathrooms, and sea turtles regularly hang out. The Keaukaha General Store makes decent sandwiches but charges tourist prices. Traffic on Kalaniana'ole grinds to a halt during Ironman weekend (October).
Who Thrives Here: Surfers who prioritize dawn patrols over career climbing, and retirees who want to watch waves from their lanai.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Best beach access in Hilo—Richardson, Onekahakaha, and 4 Miles within 5 minutes
- ✅ Strong sense of community; neighbors actually know each other
- ❌ Flooding risk on lower streets near the water (check FEMA maps)
- ❌ Limited dining—expect to drive for anything beyond plate lunches
Schools: Waiakea District. Hilo Intermediate and Hilo High serve the area, both average to slightly above.
The Verdict: Perfect for ocean-first lifestyle. Skip if you need walkable amenities or hate sand in your house.
Pana'ewa
Overview: Pana'ewa is Hilo's affordable frontier—rural feel with city services. It's where the rainforest meets suburbia, and your neighbors might have chickens.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,200 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,500 - $2,000/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $420k - $460k
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to downtown | 25 min to Hilo Medical Center
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Very car-dependent)
Local Intel: The Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo is free and genuinely worth visiting—your kids will love it. The Hilo Drive-In here is one of the last in Hawaii; catch first-run movies for $10. Crime is mostly property theft; lock your car or your surfboard will vanish.
Who Thrives Here: Budget-conscious renters, artists, and remote workers who don't mind driving 15 minutes for groceries.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Cheapest rents in Hilo CDP—save $400+/month vs. Waiakea
- ✅ Unique rainforest setting; you'll see nene and coqui frogs
- ❌ Long commute to downtown; no bus route after 6 PM
- ❌ Spotty cell service in lower Pana'ewa Road areas
Schools: Waiakea District. Pana'ewa Elementary is small but well-regarded; high schoolers commute to Waiakea.
The Verdict: Best value for money if you don't mind the drive. Avoid if you need urban conveniences or work downtown.
Kaumana
Overview: Kaumana sits on the mauna (mountain) side of Hilo—cooler temps, quieter streets, and killer views of Mauna Kea. It's where Hilo's middle-class families hunker down.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,500 - $2,000/mo (1BR) | $1,900 - $2,500/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $450k - $490k
- 🚗 Commute: 10 min to downtown | 18 min to Hilo Medical Center
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~62 (Somewhat walkable)
Local Intel: Kaumana Drive is the main artery—avoid it during 7-8 AM and 4:30-5:30 PM. The Kaumana City shopping center has a decent Times Supermarket. The real perk: you're 10 minutes from Akaka Falls if you want tourist-free waterfall hikes.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who value quiet over action, and families who want larger lots than downtown offers.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Cooler temperatures—often 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit below coastal Hilo
- ✅ Larger properties; many homes sit on quarter-acre+ lots
- ❌ Steep roads can be slick during heavy rains
- ❌ Fewer dining options; you're driving to town for date night
Schools: Waiakea District. Kaumana's schools are average; many families opt for private schools in town.
The Verdict: Ideal for homebodies who want space and quiet. Skip if you crave walkability or nightlife.
Hilo Downtown
Overview: Downtown Hilo is the heartbeat—historic, walkable, and genuinely local. Think 1950s Hawaii with modern coffee shops and a thriving arts scene.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,300 - $1,800/mo (1BR) | $1,700 - $2,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $440k - $480k (condos only)
- 🚗 Commute: 3 min to downtown | 8 min to Hilo Medical Center
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~82 (Very walkable)
Local Intel: Hilo Coffee Mill on Kilauea Avenue opens at 6 AM and is packed with remote workers by 7. The Hilo Farmers Market (Wed/Sat) is touristy but still the best place for fresh produce. Parking is a nightmare during Merrie Monarch Festival—plan accordingly.
Who Thrives Here: Young professionals who work in town, artists, and anyone who wants to live without a car.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Only truly walkable neighborhood—safely walk to 20+ restaurants and cafes
- ✅ Highest appreciation potential; downtown is revitalizing fast
- ❌ Street parking is brutal after 5 PM
- ❌ Older housing stock—expect thin walls and plumbing surprises
Schools: Hilo Intermediate and Hilo High (both average). Hilo Union Elementary is decent but not Waiakea-level.
The Verdict: Move here if you want urban Hawaii life. Avoid if you need space, quiet, or parking.
Final Advice
For Families: Waiakea is your winner—safety, schools, and community can't be beat. Budget for $2,200+ in rent or $500k+ to buy.
For Young Professionals: Downtown Hilo offers the best lifestyle-to-rent ratio. You can ditch your car and pocket the savings.
For Retirees/Surfers: Keaukaha delivers the beach lifestyle, but verify flood insurance and expect to drive for medical appointments.
Traffic Reality Check: Hilo doesn't have real rush hour, but Kalaniana'ole Avenue (Keaukaha route) and Kilauea Avenue (Waiakea route) bottleneck 3-4 PM on weekdays. The bus system exists but stops early—plan on driving.
Counterintuitive Pick: Pana'ewa is the sleeper deal. The rainforest setting is magical, and $400/month savings adds up to $48k over five years—enough for a down payment on a real house.