Clayton, NC vs Hillsborough, NC

Clayton, NC and Hillsborough, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Clayton scores 105 while Hillsborough scores 110 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Clayton is $1,542/month compared to $1,349/month in Hillsborough — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hillsborough has cheaper rent, Clayton actually has lower median home values ($292,400 vs $430,100).

Median household income in Clayton is $73,348 compared to $98,467 in Hillsborough (-25.5%). While Hillsborough is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clayton spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in Hillsborough.