City Comparison

Akron vs Hillsboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

Ohio
81
Very Affordable
$146,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$48,500
Median Income

Hillsboro

Oregon
128
Expensive
$533,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$106,700
Median Income

The Verdict

36.7%

Living in Akron costs 36.7% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $118,519 in Hillsboro.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Akron
175
Hillsboro
Groceries
106
Akron
108
Hillsboro
Utilities
80
Akron
96
Hillsboro
Transportation
85
Akron
126
Hillsboro
Healthcare
88
Akron
103
Hillsboro

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $118,519 in Hillsboro.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $47,461 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Hillsboro

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $533,000. The $387,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $513/month in Hillsboro. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $384 in Hillsboro. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 103 in Hillsboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $83,359 respectively. Hillsboro residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 115 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 36.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $118,519 in Hillsboro, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Hillsboro's is 175 with median homes at $533,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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