Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hillsboro, OR
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Hillsboro leads 12 of 23 categories
Hillsboro
Oregon
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$98,891
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
106,612
Seattle
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hillsboro, OR
Pros
Homes cost $428k less ($452,300 vs $879,900)
59% less violent crime than Seattle
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Rent averages $148/mo less ($1,797 vs $1,945)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $17,177/yr
Seattle, WA
Pros
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $17,177 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 82°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (5007.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hillsboro
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 106.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Hillsboro
Violent Crime
59% lower
317.7 vs 775.1 per 100k
Hillsboro
Median Home Value
$428k less
$452,300 vs $879,900
Hillsboro
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 82.1°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$17,177
$116,068 vs $98,891/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $452,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,797⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $98,891 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.1 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 17.4% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.2:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.7% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hillsboro SD 1J | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.1°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,612 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 21.8% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hillsboro's cost of living index is 106.6 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Hillsboro is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hillsboro leads 12 of 23 categories. Hillsboro wins 12 and Seattle wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Hillsboro to Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($452,300 vs $879,900 median home), income ($98,891 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hillsboro, OR and Seattle, WA are about 147 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.