Hillsboro vs Lafayette
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Lafayette
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 42.2%, with Lafayette being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $52,734 in Lafayette.
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 $52,734 in Lafayette.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $106,667 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Lafayette
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $214,000. The $319,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,736 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,100/mo in Lafayette, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $456/month in Lafayette. Lafayette 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $68,778 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 $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 102 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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