Median rent is 2% lower in Los Angeles ($1,933/mo vs $1,978/mo). Buying is cheaper in Hillsboro, where the median home runs $521,100 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Hillsboro ($106,409 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Hillsboro is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 101.5 against 114.7 — about 12% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Hillsboro, OR.
Cost of living verdict
Hillsboro is 12% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 101.5 in Hillsboro vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Hillsboro, OR
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Hillsboro, OR?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$84,781
You'd need $9,781 more (13% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Hillsboro
Oregon
Los Angeles
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,978/mo in Hillsboro and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $521,100 in Hillsboro — 43% more expensive.
Metric
Hillsboro
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Hillsboro
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Hillsboro.
Pick Hillsboro if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 101.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Hillsboro if you prioritize higher median household income ($106,409/yr).
Hillsboro is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 101.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 12% lower in Hillsboro.
Median rent is $1,978/mo in Hillsboro, OR and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $106,409 in Hillsboro, OR and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Hillsboro, OR has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Hillsboro, OR is equivalent to roughly $113,041 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
