City Comparison

Hillsboro vs Spokane

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hillsboro

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

Spokane

Washington
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,834
Median Income

The Verdict

30.6%

Living in Spokane costs 30.6% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hillsboro, you would need $57,422 in Spokane.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
94
Spokane
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
99
Spokane
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
98
Spokane
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
101
Spokane
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
102
Spokane

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $57,422 in Spokane.

Conversely, $75,000 in Spokane equals $97,959 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Spokane

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Spokane's 94, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $310,000. The $223,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,496 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 Spokane, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 99 in Spokane. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $470/month in Spokane. Spokane offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 98 in Spokane. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $392 in Spokane. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 102 in Spokane. 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 $48,834 in Spokane. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $49,831 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 $1,139/month in Spokane. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Spokane, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spokane is 30.6% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,422 in Spokane, based on the cost of living difference.
Hillsboro's housing index is 175 with median homes at $533,000, while Spokane's is 94 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases