Aurora vs Hillsboro
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Aurora
Hillsboro
The Verdict
Living in Aurora costs 3.1% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $77,419 in Hillsboro.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $77,419 in Hillsboro.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $72,656 in Aurora.
Living in Aurora vs Hillsboro
Housing Costs
Aurora's housing index of 174 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $533,000. The $123,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,992 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora vs $513/month in Hillsboro. Aurora offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Aurora and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $384 in Hillsboro. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora and 103 in Hillsboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $84,300 in Aurora and $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 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 $1,967/month to housing in Aurora vs $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/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 Transportation, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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