Hillsboro vs Killeen
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Killeen
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 52.4%, with Killeen being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $49,219 in Killeen.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $49,219 in Killeen.
Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $114,286 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Killeen
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $235,000. The $298,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,368 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $456/month in Killeen. Killeen offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $432 in Killeen. 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 103 in Hillsboro and 96 in Killeen. 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 $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $67,143 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 $1,316/month in Killeen. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 119 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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