Abilene, KS vs Hillsboro, KS

Hillsboro is moderately more affordable than Abilene, with a 5.3% lower cost of living index. Abilene scores 66 compared to 63 for Hillsboro, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Abilene can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Abilene is $788/month compared to $772/month in Hillsboro — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hillsboro is more affordable at $101,100 median vs $136,000.

Median household income in Abilene is $56,592 compared to $57,792 in Hillsboro (-2.1%). Hillsboro offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Abilene spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in Hillsboro.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.8°F vs 55.8°F). Hillsboro receives more rainfall at 29.7" per year compared to 29.7" in Abilene.