City Comparison

Hillsboro vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hillsboro

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

Kenosha

Wisconsin
91
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$68,900
Median Income

The Verdict

40.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 40.7%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $53,320 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
82
Kenosha
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
99
Kenosha
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
95
Kenosha
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $53,320 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $105,495 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $275,000. The $258,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,776 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $470/month in Kenosha. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 96 in Kenosha. 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 $106,700 in Hillsboro and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $75,714 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 $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 93 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 40.7% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,320 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Hillsboro's housing index is 175 with median homes at $533,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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