Hillsboro vs Lexington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Lexington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 37.6%, with Lexington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $54,492 in Lexington.
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 $54,492 in Lexington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $103,226 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Lexington
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $245,000. The $288,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $456/month in Lexington. Lexington 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 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $364 in Lexington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 94 in Lexington. 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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $59,837 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 $1,298/month in Lexington. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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