Cost of Living in Hillsborough, NC

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C+
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
46%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Hillsborough North Carolina National
Cost of living11496100
Groceries98100100
Health care9699100
Housing14688100
Transportation9699100
Utilities9799100
Lifestyle & Entertainment107100100
Household Items102100100
Education & Childcare111100100
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Homes For Sale In Hillsborough, NC

property for sale

108 Alderberry Ct

Hillsborough, NC
property for sale

423 Orange Heights Loop

Hillsborough, NC
property for sale

920 Apple Ln

Hillsborough, NC
property for sale

1012 US Highway 70 W

Hillsborough, NC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Hillsborough is 19% higher than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Hillsborough is 14% higher than the national average
  • Hillsborough housing is 46% higher than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Hillsborough

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Compare Hillsborough, NC Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$152,670$12,723$3,562$4,581
      Renters$73,157$6,096$1,707$2,195
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Hillsborough, NC, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Hillsborough, homeowners have a median income of $152,670. Using that number, a maximum of $3,562 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $73,157, which means there is a maximum of $1,707 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      North Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Carolina 4.75% 7.5%

      North Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Carolina 4.75% 4.75%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Haw River, NC2,5548514.8%
      Green Level, NC2,6138613.6%
      Saxapahaw, NC1,3909010.0%
      Efland, NC823946.0%
      Rougemont, NC766964.0%
      Hillsborough, NC7,37611414.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Twin Rivers, NJ7,37612020.0%
      Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, ON7,376n/a 
      Lexington, VA7,3771088.3%
      Lecanto, FL7,3791010.5%
      Philadelphia, MS7,3798416.3%
      Hillsborough, NC7,37611414.0%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
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