Hillsboro vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Tempe
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.8%, with Tempe being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $62,109 in Tempe.
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 $62,109 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $90,566 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $400,000. The $133,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,640 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $475/month in Tempe. Tempe 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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