A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wilmington vs. Hilo for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Wilmington or Hilo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Hilo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a welcoming, charming, and historic city. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Hilo

Hilo is a friendly, authentic, and laid back town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches.

Wilmington and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Hilo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilo than Wilmington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilo is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Wilmington is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping. Hilo is more touristy than Wilmington and is known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Also, Hilo is famous for Akaka Falls State Park. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Wilmington different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilo and Wilmington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wilmington or Hilo?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Wilmington or Hilo.

Wilmington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

Hilo offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Is the Food Better in Wilmington or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hilo. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Wilmington is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Wilmington has a few options to choose from. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Hilo is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a great city for the beach. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

Wilmington is considered a top beach destination. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

Many people head to Hilo to enjoy the beach. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Hilo does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington has an old town worth visiting. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Hilo does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Hilo draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Hilo?

Wilmington is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Wilmington has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Families?

Wilmington and Hilo are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Wilmington is a very family-friendly destination. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

Hilo is a very kid-friendly city. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Hilo are both very good to visit as a couple.

Wilmington is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

Hilo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for backpackers.

Hilo is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Wilmington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, the university and great beaches make this a surprisingly fun destination.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Students?

Wilmington is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilo is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Wilmington. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Hilo is not popular with students.

Is Wilmington or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wilmington and Hilo both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

Public transit is generally limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Wilmington or Hilo a more walkable city?

Wilmington and Hilo are notable when it comes to walkability.

Wilmington is somewhat walkable. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

Hilo is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Wilmington Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Hilo?

Both Wilmington and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Wilmington. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

Families should spend more time in Hilo than Wilmington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hilo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Wilmington if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Hilo.

One day in Wilmington or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With museums and food around the authentic town of Hilo, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wilmington or Hilo?

Wilmington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With food and museums around the destination of Hilo, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Wilmington or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the welcoming destination of Wilmington. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Hilo, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wilmington or Hilo?

The welcoming city of Wilmington offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Hilo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wilmington and Hilo, we can see that Wilmington is more expensive. And not only is Hilo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hilo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilo 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 Wilmington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wilmington than you might in Hilo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wilmington Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Hilo?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Hilo, 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 Wilmington or Hilo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Wilmington or Hilo in the Summer?

Both Hilo and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Wilmington is generally a little warmer than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 81°F (27°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. It's quite rainy in Wilmington. In July, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Hilo. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wilmington or Hilo in the Autumn?

Both Hilo and Wilmington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Hilo because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Wilmington is cooler than Hilo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 138 hours of full sun.

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wilmington usually gets less rain in October than Hilo. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Hilo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Hilo. The winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.

In the winter, Wilmington is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Hilo averages at about 72°F (22°C).

Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Hilo. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wilmington or Hilo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Hilo. The beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Wilmington is generally cooler than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the spring, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Wilmington usually gets less rain in April than Hilo. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Wilmington