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

Massachusetts
107
Above Average
$230,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$41,612
Median Income

The Verdict

19.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.6%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $62,695 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
106
Springfield
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
104
Springfield
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
119
Springfield
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
101
Springfield
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
114
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $62,695 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $89,720 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $230,000. The $303,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,692 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 Springfield, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $494/month in Springfield. 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 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $476 in Springfield. 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 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $38,890 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 $971/month in Springfield. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, 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 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 19.6% more affordable overall with an index of 107 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,695 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 106 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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