City Comparison

Hillsboro vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hillsboro

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

50.6%

Living in Johnson City costs 50.6% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hillsboro, you would need $49,805 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
66
Johnson City
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
95
Johnson City
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
95
Johnson City
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $49,805 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $112,941 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $276,000. The $257,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,704 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $451/month in Johnson City. Johnson City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $106,700 in Hillsboro and $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $65,176 respectively. Hillsboro residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,490/month to housing in Hillsboro vs $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 109 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 50.6% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,805 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Hillsboro's housing index is 175 with median homes at $533,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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