Nestled just west of Portland is Hillsboro, the fifth largest city in the state of Oregon. Hillsboro is a high tech and growing city that has been listed multiple times as the most affordable city in the state or the best place to live in the country. Is this too good to be true? Why is Hillsboro, Oregon such a great place to live, what kind of families live here, and is it the right fit for you?
1. The Most Affordable City In Oregon
Hillsboro, Oregon is considered one of the most affordable places to live in the state. In 2020, the average house price in the United States was $230,000. The average housing cost of the neighboring city of Portland, Oregon is $450,000. In Hillsboro in 2020, the average price of a house was $380,000!
Because of inflation from 2022, the average home price in Hillsboro, Oregon is $500,000 while prices in Portland are just under $600,000. This is a major jump from 2020, but even by today’s standards, it is still an affordable city to live in. In fact, living in Hillsboro is still less expensive than living in Portland by 6.7% less expensive than general living in Portland and is 9.5% less expensive than Portland’s housing costs. Monthly rent for an apartment comes in at approximately $1,500 per month.
2. A Strong Local Government
Hillsboro’s local government is quite strong and has clear communication with its citizens. For example, in June of 2022, Hillsboro announced its 2022 to 2023 Fiscal Budget. Projects and programs included were a year round emergency shelter, Hilight build out internet service, beginning stages of the new Police Department, Block 67 shopping development, an inclusive playground, Ron Ronkin Field expansion, continued development of the Willamette water supply system, a new 24/7 Fire & Rescue medic unit, continued construction for the Nueva Esperanza affordable housing project, and expansion of workforce development, including new internships.
Additionally in 2021, the City of Hillsboro was awarded the highest honor in governmental budgeting, proving that the city can create feasible goals and follow through with them.
3. Great Place to Raise a Family
Hillsboro is a great place to raise a family because of its suburban charm. Within the past 15 years, Hillsboro has seen new development because of all the tech jobs that are available. There are a plethora of new housing developments, or “cookie cutter neighborhoods”, if you will. These kinds of homes are really great for young families and are close in proximity to parks, grocery stores, nature tours, farm tours, quality schools, and family friendly events.
4. Large Technology Industry
What puts Hillsboro’s name on the map is its influence on the technology industry. In fact, large companies like Intel, Apple, and Google have offices in Hillsboro. In fact, Hillsboro is the fourth highest concentration of computer and electronics companies in the United States. Many families will move here because of job opportunities in the tech (or even agriculture) industry. The world is transferring to technology and the internet, and Hillsboro is ahead of the curve. That is one reason why so many people are moving here and why it is becoming the new family friendly suburb.
5. High Paying Jobs
Hillsboro, Oregon’s median income is $82,275 with over half of the population employed. This number is increasing yearly by 3.34%. Additionally, Intel is the biggest employer in Hillsboro and has 20,000 employees over the four Hillsboro Intel campuses in town. The sites are 100% fueled with renewable electricity and are the number one employer in the state of Oregon. The truth is, you get paid more in Hillsboro, and that is why it is considered such an affordable place to live! Additionally, the city is working on 150 affordable housing apartments for those who are struggling. Click here to view affordable apartments.
6. Rated As One of the Best Places To Live in America
According to Money Magazine’s list of “Best Places To Live In America” in 2020, Hillsboro was number 29 on this list! They congratulated Hillsboro on its technological innovations and growth of employment by 10% since 2015. Diversity was another winning factor for Money Magazine, and Hillsboro locals were proud to represent the Pacific North West on this national rating. Additionally, Livability ranked Hillsboro as number 7 in “2021 Top 100 Best Places to Live In America“. They congratulated Hillsboro on affordable health care, family farms, a strong art and culture scene, as well as the Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra and the Hillsboro Artist’s Regional Theatre.
7. Lowest Poverty Rate
Hillsboro is considered to be a “rich city” simply because of all the job opportunities available and great housing options, but it’s also more than that. Hillsboro has positive economic trends, one of which is a low poverty rate. There is a poverty rate of 9.27% and a 1 year decrease of 2.39%. The national poverty average is 12.8%, and Hillsboro is comfortably below that. Hillsboro is not only a safe town but also clean with plenty of economic opportunities.
8. 1% Of Property Tax
With housing being affordable, property taxes also run low here. In general, property taxes in Hillsboro can be as low as 1% of the property value. In Oregon, counties will collect approximately .91% of property’s value in taxes annually. In Hillsboro, that number sits comfortably at 1%. In 2017, the national average was 1.5%, meaning that Hillsboro has below average property taxes.
9. Urban Amenities and Rural Landscapes
Hillsboro is a great fit for families who want a rural feel and access to outdoor activities while still having the amenities of an urban lifestyle. Hillsboro also has a deep history tied to it that translates into these urban and rural spaces. Hillsboro was founded by pioneers David Hill, Isaiah Kesley, and Richard Williams who arrived in the Tualatin Valley in 1841.
While Hillsboro has a population of 108,026 residents, it still has a small town feel. There is not a lot of traditional retail shopping like in the big cities, but there are parts of the city that are more high density. The Orenco Station has a high density and city like feel, with easy access to the light rail, restaurants, bars, shops, and apartments.
But you can easily get away from the noise. Once you exit town and towards the suburbs, there are sweeping farmlands and an abundance of hiking trails for the whole family.
10. Pet Friendly
Like many cities in Oregon, Hillsboro is a very community driven place. As mentioned before, Hillsboro is family friendly, but what I failed to mention was that it is very pet friendly as well. There is the Hondo Dog Park, an off leash dog park that is well maintained and has three play areas, including a set one for small dogs.
To show just how important pets are to Hillsboro locals, an art studio known as Feathers and Fur helps you to create your very own pet portraits! The owner will paint the outlines of your pet onto a 10×10 canvas and will help you paint it step by step all while bonding with your pet.
11. A Young and Diverse Population
With technology being the main source of income, it’s no surprise the demographic here in Hillsboro is quite young. The median age of this town in 2020 was 33.9 years old, a .294% decrease from the previous year in 2019. Another great thing about Hillsboro is that it is very diverse compared to other cities in the nation. The majority race is white and that is 58.4% of residents. The next most populated racial group is Hispanic at 22.8%, then Asian at 11%. Hillsboro has a great diversity score of 95 out of 100 and is much more diverse than other cities in the United States.
12. Variety of Real Estate
Because of the change in the economy, there is a wide variety of real estate, or homes, available. There are the “cookie cutter neighborhoods” that we discussed earlier, but there are also antique or older homes from the 70’s and 80’s the closer you get east, or towards Portland. Hillsboro still has the charm and victorian style of houses that Portland is known for as well as affordable housing developments that many suburban families are looking for.
The truth is, Hillsboro is growing and real estate is booming. Since July 2021, Hillsboro has been a seller’s market, meaning that prices are a little higher and homes sell faster, and most homes are sold in under 30 days. Hillsboro is booming, but not unattainable. Beacuse there is so much free land, new homes are being, and will continue to be, build and sold. And it’s a great place to start a family! You just need to act fast.
Because of this market, there is an abundance of real estate agents looking for work, so even if you miss the home you wanted to purchase, you will be in good hands. The older homes may need a bit of love, but the market is eager to sell.
13. Hillsboro Hops
The Hillsboro Hops are a local minor league baseball team. Their first game was played in 2013 and the first win came later that year on June 17th. The name was given because of Hillsboro’s agricultural beginnings and baseball terminology. Hillsboro Hops merchandise has been a great economic factor for this minor league baseball team and is a great way to spend time with young families. If you are a baseball enthusiast, this may be a reason to move to Hillsboro.
14. 30 Minutes Away from Downtown Portland
As mentioned before, Hillsboro is a great mix between a rustic farming landscape and a nearby bustling metro area. However, Hillsboro is relatively close to the capital city of Oregon, Portland. This means that a weekend getaway full of arts, food, and entertainment is only a 30 minute drive away. Portland is known for its great food and charming amenities, so living just next to the action, but far enough away to have some peace and quiet, is where Hillsboro shines most.
15. This Is A Driving City
Unlike other cities in Oregon which are known for their walkability, Hillsboro is one of the least walkable cities. While public transportation in Oregon is top notch, especially for commuting to places such as Intel, it’s just easier to drive your car to get your groceries.
This can be a reason to move to Hillsboro! If you are a car dependent family and want to say that way, this may be a good move for you. If this reason makes you nervous, in developing neighborhoods, contractors are beginning to build grocery stores, parks, and other amenities near new homes. Because you would be moving to Hillsboro while it is just developing, you will be there to watch it blossom before your eyes. The city will become more walkable over time and is much more walkable than most American cities, maybe just not by Oregon’s traditional standards.
16. Comfortable Weather
The real secret about Hillsboro is that the summers are comfortable and cool. The average ranges from 70 degrees to 80 degrees, which is a blessing if you are moving from a hot desert state such as Arizona or Nevada. The record high for summer months is in the hundreds, but the average weather gets no hotter than 83 degrees. As climate change can affect weather, Hillsboro may be your safe haven for those steaming summer months.
17. A Growing City
Finally, because of all the technology companies moving to Hillsboro, the new housing developments, and the city’s effort to run a charming and clean city, Hillsboro is growing. It’s the perfect Oregon family suburb, hence why it’s so popular. The large population doesn’t mean it is crowded, far from it! Hillsboro is approximately 25 miles large and the fifth largest city in Oregon. This means that there is enough space for this growing city and you will not need to worry about it getting so conjested.
Isabelle Justice 