Hillsboro OR vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Hillsboro, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$522,671
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
19.9%
White
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 741,440 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 61.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
$82,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hillsboro
$63,691
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
67.5%
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $121,984 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $82,508 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 67.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hillsboro
$522,671
Hillsboro +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $522,671 | $871,599 | Hillsboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
355
Hillsboro +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
3001
Hillsboro +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Hillsboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Hillsboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
32.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
9.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hillsboro
17.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
9.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
15.4%
Hillsboro +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
10.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.0% | Hillsboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hillsboro
51.8°F
Hillsboro +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hillsboro
39.9 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 52.6°F | Hillsboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.9 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
9.0 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hillsboro
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hillsboro
N/A
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hillsboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $522,671. On public safety, Hillsboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Seattle. Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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