City Comparison

Hillsboro vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hillsboro

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

64.1%

Living in Springfield costs 64.1% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hillsboro, you would need $45,703 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
52
Springfield
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
98
Springfield
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
98
Springfield
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
114
Springfield
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $45,703 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $123,077 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $162,000. The $371,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $466/month in Springfield. Springfield 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,490/month to housing in Hillsboro vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 123 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 64.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,703 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Hillsboro's housing index is 175 with median homes at $533,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases