Hillsboro vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Surprise costs 24.3% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hillsboro, you would need $60,352 in Surprise.
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 $60,352 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $93,204 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $419,000. The $114,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $475/month in Surprise. Surprise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $83,010 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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