City Comparison

Hillsboro vs Nampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hillsboro

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

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

The Verdict

21.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.9%, with Nampa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $61,523 in Nampa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
104
Nampa
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
105
Nampa
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
83
Nampa
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
113
Nampa
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
102
Nampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $61,523 in Nampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $91,429 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Nampa

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $371,000. The $162,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $499/month in Nampa. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $332 in Nampa. 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 102 in Nampa. 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 $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $70,762 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 $1,734/month in Nampa. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nampa is 21.9% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,523 in Nampa, based on the cost of living difference.
Hillsboro's housing index is 175 with median homes at $533,000, while Nampa's is 104 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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