Hillsboro 86 Exceptional
Hillsboro Livability #13 ranked city in Oregon#311 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas
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Hillsboro, OR - The Silicon Forest

Hillsboro, Oregon, known as "The Silicon Forest," is a vibrant and rapidly growing city located near Portland. With its strong economy, excellent schools, and beautiful natural surroundings, Hillsboro offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban charm and modern amenities makes living in Hillsboro an attractive option for families and professionals.

Residents of Hillsboro enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, trails, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and enrichment. The Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve and the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals are popular destinations that celebrate the city's natural beauty and cultural richness. The annual Hillsboro Farmers' Markets and the Oregon International Air Show are events that showcase Hillsboro's...

Hillsboro's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. The city's strategic location near Portland provides residents with easy access to job opportunities and cultural amenities in the greater metropolitan area. Major employers in the area include Intel and the Hillsboro School District.

Hillsboro prioritizes education and community development, with numerous programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents. The city's focus on sustainability, green spaces, and educational excellence makes it a great place to raise a family.

Public transportation in Hillsboro is well-developed, with access to TriMet buses and the MAX light rail, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Hillsboro's climate features mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Hillsboro offers a blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.

Pros and Cons of Living in Hillsboro

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

What's it like Living in Hillsboro?

Hillsboro is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Oregon. The city has a population of 111,390 residents. With a population density of 4,369 people per square mile, Hillsboro is well above the nation's average density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Hillsboro is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Hillsboro, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 24 minutes.

Living in Hillsboro can be a great experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Oregon, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Hillsboro and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Hillsboro to Oregon and the national average.

The livability score in Hillsboro is 88/100 and the city is ranked in the 99th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Hillsboro ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Hillsboro ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Hillsboro scores well for employment (A+) and housing (A+) The bad news for Hillsboro, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: cost of living (D-).

If you're living in Hillsboro, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Hillsboro an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: A Nose For Wine, Oregon International Airshow, and The Venetian Theatre.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Hillsboro excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Hillsboro meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Hillsboro. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Hillsboro are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Hillsboro come in at $661,463, which is 49.6% higher than the Oregon average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Hillsboro, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 7.1% lower than the Oregon average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Hillsboro

See all the best places to live around Hillsboro

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      Hillsboro transportation information

      Statistic Hillsboro Oregon National
      Average one way commute24min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work71.1%71.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.4%10.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit6.5%4.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%2.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.9%3.9%2.8%
      Working from home7.2%6.4%4.6%
      Source: The Hillsboro, OR data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.