Hillsboro is a small town of 5,673 in Illinois, with a median household income of $48,302
and a 5.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Hillsboro stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hillsboro is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Hillsboro city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.4
Hillsboro's overall cost of living index is 90.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Hillsboro costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Hillsboro, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$106,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$676
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
73.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,302
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Hillsboro's violent crime rate is 208.9 per 100,000 residents
— 45% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
208.9 /100k
Property Crime
574.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Hillsboro is served primarily by Hillsboro CUSD 3.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Hillsboro, IL
National Avg
School District
Hillsboro CUSD 3
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
82.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Hillsboro sees average highs of 38.4°F in January
and 88.7°F in July,
with 42.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 13.9 inches of snow per year.
Hillsboro's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Hillsboro roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $106,900 and median rent is $676/month.
Hillsboro's violent crime rate is 208.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 574.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Hillsboro are operated by Hillsboro CUSD 3.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. 15.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Hillsboro, IL has a population of 5,673, a median household income of $48,302, and an unemployment rate of 5.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Hillsboro averages 38.4°F in January and 88.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.1 inches
with about 13.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Hillsboro, IL is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 62049, 62051.
The population of Hillsboro, Illinois is 5,673 with a median age of 40.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Hillsboro: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $106,900, median household income $48,302, crime index 44 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hillsboro side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
