Dublin vs Hillsboro
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dublin
Hillsboro
The Verdict
Living in Dublin costs 18.7% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dublin, you would need $92,308 in Hillsboro.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $92,308 in Hillsboro.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $60,938 in Dublin.
Living in Dublin vs Hillsboro
Housing Costs
Dublin's housing index of 128 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $533,000. The $63,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,092 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $513/month in Hillsboro. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Dublin and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin 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 82 in Dublin and 103 in Hillsboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 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 $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/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 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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