Albany vs Hillsboro

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $96,970 in Hillsboro.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $58,008 in Albany.

Living in Albany vs Hillsboro

Housing Costs

Albany's housing index of 93 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $533,000. The $313,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,340 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $513/month in Hillsboro. Albany offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany 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 100 in Albany and 103 in Hillsboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 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 $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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