Hillsboro vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Madison
The Verdict
Living in Madison costs 20.8% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hillsboro, you would need $62,109 in Madison.
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 $62,109 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $90,566 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Madison
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $340,000. The $193,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $480/month in Madison. Madison offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 105 in Madison. 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 $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $63,741 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 $1,577/month in Madison. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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