| Index | Hillsborough | California | National |
| Cost of living | 350 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 112 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 901 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 116 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 115 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 123 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough stands at 350, marking it 250% higher than the national average.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Hillsborough 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, Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough, 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 800.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Hillsborough is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 11.1% higher than the national average.
Wondering if Hillsborough is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Hillsborough, for example, the median home price is 1031.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 262.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Hillsborough boasting a median household income of $376,687, which is 363.1% higher than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Hillsborough, the housing index comes in at 800.7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Hillsborough, the transportation index stands at 16.2% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
The cost of living data for Hillsborough 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 | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $374,986 | $31,249 | $8,749 | $11,251 |
| Renters | $268,359 | $22,363 | $6,261 | $8,052 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cherryland, CA | 16,430 | 160 | 60.4% |
| Ashland, CA | 24,254 | 162 | 62.0% |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 31,094 | 169 | 69.4% |
| San Leandro, CA | 93,731 | 173 | 73.2% |
| Colma, CA | 1,528 | 202 | 102.4% |
| Hillsborough, CA | 11,923 | 350 | 250.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pine Castle, FL | 11,923 | 105 | 5.4% |
| Wyandanch, NY | 11,925 | 125 | 25.1% |
| Newman, CA | 11,926 | 123 | 23.1% |
| Schiller Park, IL | 11,917 | 107 | 6.8% |
| Manor, TX | 11,917 | 107 | 7.1% |
| Hillsborough, CA | 11,923 | 350 | 250.1% |
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