Which place is cheaper, Vernon or Hilo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hilo or Vernon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hilo or Vernon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hilo or Vernon?
Hilo
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
Vernon
Vernon is located in British Columbia, Canada. It's in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior and dates back to 1892. The city has a population of about 40,000 and the Greater Vernon area has a population of about 58,584. It's the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District. In many ways Vernon feels like most other towns around North America, but if you find yourself here with some time to spare, you can find a handful of activities that will help you see it's unique personality and interesting qualities. The town is most popular for its lakes and beaches during the summer monts, and its skiing and hockey during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHilo $171Vernon $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Hilo is $171, while the average daily cost in Vernon is $30. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hilo and Vernon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHilo $71Vernon $4.82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHilo $142Vernon $9.64
Compare Hotels in Hilo and Vernon
Looking for a hotel in Hilo or Vernon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hilo Hotel Prices and Vernon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hilo $25Vernon -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer from Hotels to Kona International Airport: $15
- Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport (KOA) to Hotels - Big Island: $15
- Kailua-Kona to Kona Airport at Keahole Private Departure Transfer: $58
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona Port to Kailua Kona city hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona City Hotels to Kailua Kona Port: $58
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer : $75
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Kailua-Kona: $75
- Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea : $95
- Kona International Airport (KOA) to Kailua-Kona - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Hilo or Vernon?
Prices for flights to both Vernon and Hilo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHilo $70Vernon $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilo
For Hilo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- French Hawaiian Fusion Cooking Class: $175
- Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay: $183
- Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hilo $32Vernon -
Tours and Activities in Hilo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hilo.
- Baumkuchen Farm Tour: $5.00
- History and Legends Walking Tour with a Smartphone App: $6.50
- Big Island - Kohala Coast & Backcountry Driving Tour: $9.99
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Big Island - North Island Jungle Driving Tour: $20
- Big Island - South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour: $20
- Big Island - Kona Big Kahuna GPS Driving Tour: $20
- Hawaiian Rainforest Banana Cultivation Experience: $20
- Abalone Farm Tour: $25
- Big Island Farms Tour in Hawaii: $30
- Experience Our Honey Farm And Beekeeping Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHilo $10Vernon $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilo and Vernon, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hilo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilo than you might in Vernon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hilo Expensive? and Is Vernon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hilo or Vernon?
Vernon has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Hilo and Vernon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Hilo or Vernon?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hilo or Vernon in the Summer?
Both Vernon and Hilo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hilo for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Hilo is around the same temperature as Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 76°F (24°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. Hilo usually gets more rain in July than Vernon. Hilo gets 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHilo 76°F (24°C)Vernon 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Vernon in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilo and Vernon. Many visitors come to Hilo in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Hilo is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilo in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hilo usually receives more rain than Vernon. Hilo gets 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHilo 76°F (24°C)Vernon 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Vernon in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hilo as well as Vernon. Most visitors come to Hilo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Vernon can be very cold. In January, Hilo is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Hilo average around 72°F (22°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
Hilo receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hilo usually gets more rain in January than Vernon. Hilo gets 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHilo 72°F (22°C)Vernon -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Vernon in the Spring?
Both Vernon and Hilo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Hilo because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
Hilo is much warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite rainy in Hilo. In April, Hilo usually receives more rain than Vernon. Hilo gets 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHilo 73°F (23°C)Vernon 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Vernon and Hilo
| Hilo | Vernon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) | -3°C (27°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) | 2°C (35°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) | 12°C (53°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) | 16°C (61°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) | 23°C (73°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) | 23°C (73°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) | 17°C (63°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Nov | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 mm) | -1°C (30°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.