Cost of Living in Hillsboro, OR

An Overview of Cost of Living in Hillsboro, OR

Knowing the cost of living in Hillsboro allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Hillsboro stands at 132, marking it 32% higher than the national average.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Hillsboro may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Hillsboro falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

When it comes to the cost of living in Hillsboro, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 86.8% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Hillsboro is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.5% above the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Hillsboro?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 9 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Hillsboro. The feedback revealed that 33% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 67% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Hillsboro Affordable?

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 96.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 63.4% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Hillsboro boasting a median household income of $85,586, 54.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Hillsboro?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Hillsboro, the transportation index is 26.3% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Hillsboro, the general sales tax rate starts at 0%, and income tax rates begin at 4.75%.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Hillsboro, the utilities index is 3.8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Hillsboro cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.