City Comparison

Hillsboro vs Syracuse

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hillsboro

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

Syracuse

New York
92
Below Average
$140,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$36,708
Median Income

The Verdict

39.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 39.1%, with Syracuse being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $53,906 in Syracuse.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
69
Syracuse
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
101
Syracuse
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
105
Syracuse
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
101
Syracuse
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
100
Syracuse

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $53,906 in Syracuse.

Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $104,348 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Syracuse

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $140,000. The $393,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $480/month in Syracuse. Syracuse offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $420 in Syracuse. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 100 in Syracuse. 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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $39,900 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 $857/month in Syracuse. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 106 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Syracuse is 39.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,906 in Syracuse, based on the cost of living difference.
Hillsboro's housing index is 175 with median homes at $533,000, while Syracuse's is 69 with median homes at $140,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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