Hillsboro vs Orem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Orem
The Verdict
Living in Orem costs 9.4% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hillsboro, you would need $68,555 in Orem.
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 $68,555 in Orem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $82,051 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Orem
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $528,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 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 Orem, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $466/month in Orem. Orem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $368 in Orem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 95 in Orem. 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 $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $73,504 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 $2,007/month in Orem. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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