| Index | Hillsboro | Oregon | National |
| Cost of living | 130 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 104 | 100 |
| Health care | 103 | 105 | 100 |
| Housing | 189 | 124 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 103 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 104 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 105 | 109 | 100 |
The cost of living in Hillsboro affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Hillsboro is 130, which is 30% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Hillsboro may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Hillsboro falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Hillsboro, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 89.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 9 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Hillsboro and this is how they responded. 33% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 67% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Hillsboro affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Hillsboro, the median home price is 102.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 58.9% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Hillsboro boasting a median household income of $126,375, 55.4% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Hillsboro, the utilities index stands at 3.6% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Hillsboro, the transportation index is 3.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Hillsboro shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $159,288 | $13,274 | $3,716 | $4,779 |
| Renters | $102,358 | $8,530 | $2,388 | $3,071 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Oregon | 0% | 0% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Oregon | 4.75% | 9.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Gaston, OR | 542 | 105 | 5.1% |
| Yamhill, OR | 1,380 | 116 | 15.8% |
| King City, OR | 4,445 | 119 | 19.2% |
| Cornelius, OR | 13,194 | 121 | 21.1% |
| Banks, OR | 1,941 | 123 | 23.3% |
| Hillsboro, OR | 111,390 | 130 | 29.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Daly City, CA | 111,327 | 204 | 104.4% |
| Thunder Bay, ON | 111,499 | n/a | |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA | 111,548 | 167 | 67.0% |
| Lewisville, TX | 111,065 | 108 | 8.0% |
| Sandy Springs, GA | 111,012 | 137 | 37.4% |
| Hillsboro, OR | 111,390 | 130 | 29.7% |
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