Champaign vs Hillsboro
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Hillsboro
The Verdict
Living in Champaign costs 36.7% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $118,519 in Hillsboro.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $118,519 in Hillsboro.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $47,461 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Hillsboro
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $533,000. The $318,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,676 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $513/month in Hillsboro. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $384 in Hillsboro. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 103 in Hillsboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 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 $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 92 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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