Cost of Living in Hillsborough, NC
Population 9,656 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Hillsborough sits on the smaller end of the North Carolina city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Hillsborough sits roughly 13 miles northwest of Durham — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 21% higher than Durham's $355,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Hillsborough
The median home value in Hillsborough is $430,100 — 41% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,349/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $98,467/year is 32% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. North Carolina's top state income tax rate is 4.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 69.9°F and lows of 48.4°F. Overall, Hillsborough has a cost of living index of 126 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% more expensive.
Hillsborough has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 50 | 54 | 62 | 71 | 77 | 84 | 88 | 86 | 80 | 71 | 61 | 53 |
| Low °F | 30 | 32 | 39 | 47 | 56 | 63 | 67 | 66 | 60 | 48 | 38 | 33 |
| Precip" | 3.44 | 3.27 | 4.24 | 3.95 | 3.79 | 4.22 | 4.21 | 3.79 | 5.59 | 3.34 | 3.31 | 3.55 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Hillsborough, NC?
Hillsborough has a cost index of 126 (100 = national average). It is 26% above the national average.
What is average rent in Hillsborough, NC?
The median gross rent in Hillsborough is $1,349 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Hillsborough?
The median home value in Hillsborough is $430,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Hillsborough?
The median household income in Hillsborough is $98,467 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Hillsborough, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Hillsborough is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Hillsborough, NC affordable?
Hillsborough is above average in cost of living, with an index of 126 — about 26% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Hillsborough?
Hillsborough has average high temperatures of 69.9°F and average lows of 48.4°F. Annual precipitation is 46.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Hillsborough at a Glance
- Population
- 9,656
- Median Income
- $98,467
- Home Value
- $430,100
- Median Rent
- $1,349/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.8%
- Avg High Temp
- 69.9°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs