Grafton, ND vs Hillsboro, ND

Grafton, ND and Hillsboro, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Grafton scores 65 while Hillsboro scores 65 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 Grafton is $715/month compared to $645/month in Hillsboro — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hillsboro has cheaper rent, Grafton actually has lower median home values ($153,800 vs $180,800).

Median household income in Grafton is $60,184 compared to $77,844 in Hillsboro (-22.7%). While Hillsboro is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grafton spend roughly 14.3% of their income on rent, more than the 9.9% in Hillsboro.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (39.8°F vs 42.2°F). Hillsboro receives more rainfall at 24" per year compared to 21.7" in Grafton.