Median rent is 22% lower in Portland ($1,487/mo vs $1,896/mo). Buying is cheaper in Portland, where the median home runs $452,600 versus $483,400. Households earn more in Hillsboro ($103,207 vs $76,174 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (103.6).
City A
Hillsboro, OR
City B
Portland, ME
How much would you need to earn in Portland, ME to maintain your standard of living from Hillsboro, OR?
Equivalent salary in Portland, ME
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Hillsboro
Oregon
Portland
Maine
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Portland — median rent of $1,487/mo versus $1,896/mo in Hillsboro, a 22% difference. Median home values are within 6% of each other: $483,400 in Hillsboro and $452,600 in Portland.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Oregon's top income tax rate is 9.90% versus 7.15% in Maine, so Portland is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 0.00% in Oregon and 5.50% in Maine; Hillsboro has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Hillsboro
Income tax: 9.90%
Sales tax: None
Portland
Income tax: 7.15%
Sales tax: 5.50%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Hillsboro if you prioritize higher median household income ($103,207/yr).
Pick Portland if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,487/mo median).
Pick Portland if you prioritize lower state income tax (7.15%).
Is Hillsboro cheaper than Portland?
Hillsboro is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 103.6 versus 103.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Hillsboro.
How much is rent in Hillsboro vs Portland?
Median rent is $1,896/mo in Hillsboro, OR and $1,487/mo in Portland, ME. Portland, ME has the lower rent by about 22%.
Which has higher salaries — Hillsboro or Portland?
Median household income is $103,207 in Hillsboro, OR and $76,174 in Portland, ME. Hillsboro, OR has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Hillsboro or Portland?
Oregon's top income tax rate is 9.90% and Maine's is 7.15%. Portland, ME has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Portland to match my Hillsboro income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Hillsboro, OR is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Portland, ME (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology