Located in the South Hilo district, Hilo is the largest city as well as the County Seat, on the Big Island. Hilo is situated on two shield volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Additionally, with a population of over 43,000 people, Hilo is home to the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation. In Hilo, the bay front area is the center of everything that goes on in Hilo. There are tons of activities and cultural venues including the Lyman Museum, Pacific Tsunami Museum and the East Hawaii Tsunami Center. Each week, residents and tourists flock to the Hilo Farmers Market that offers up tons of local produce and plants. This city is such a fun and very popular city.
The rainforest-like climate of Hilo is known for its substantial rainfall. In fact, Hilo is the third wettest city in the United States with an average of 126 inches of rain each year. Because of this, it is very easy to grow produce in the South Hilo district.
As for Hilo real estate, there are so many opportunities to own property here. With single family homes, condominium communities and vacant land, Hilo has something for every budget. The most recent numbers show that the median sale price for condos is $88K; single family homes, $225K; and land $520K. Land for sale is priced from about $30K to multi-million dollar price tags for prime property.
Most abundant in the area are single family homes. Homes start in the low $70s for homes that are in very poor condition or are in foreclosure. Neighborhoods like Pamoho, Wailoa Heights and Kaumana City Subdivision have homes that start in the low- to mid-$100s but also require work. In those same neighborhoods as well as others like Hilo Country Club, Wainaku and Hilo Town, homes are priced from the $200s and up. Mid-priced homes in Pacific Heights, Panaewa Houselots and Sunrise Estates feature homes priced between $400K and $700K. For more luxurious, affluent areas in Hilo, Honolii by the Sea and Wainkau Farms feature homes priced from just over $1 million.
As for condominiums, there are several popular communities including Hilo Terrace, and Waiakea Villas that start well under $100K. For those seeking townhomes, Wailuku Park Townhomes and Pacific Heights have homes that are priced from the mid-$100s and mid $200s.
There are several foreclosures and short sales in that start in the low to mid $100s for homes that are in need of some work. For those in more affluent neighborhoods, you can find homes starting in the mid to upper $300s.
With all that Hilo has to offer, it is no wonder people love living here. Although it is the oldest city on the Hawaiian archipelago, it has grown with the times to a modern metropolis on the Big Island. Hilo gives its residents the ability to live in a tropical environment while affording them the up-to-date conveniences of a city.