Hillsboro vs St. Paul

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 $58,594 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $96,000 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $260,000. The $273,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,748 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $489/month in St. Paul. 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 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 105 in St. Paul. 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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases