Hillsboro, IA vs Lewis, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lewis is 19.9% cheaper than Hillsboro. With a cost index of 57 vs 68, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lewis to Hillsboro should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hillsboro is $1,063/month compared to $638/month in Lewis — a 67% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lewis has cheaper rent, Hillsboro actually has lower median home values ($47,800 vs $60,700).

Median household income in Hillsboro is $43,125 compared to $34,341 in Lewis (+25.6%). 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 Hillsboro spend roughly 29.6% of their income on rent, more than the 22.3% in Lewis.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 52.4°F). Hillsboro receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 31.9" in Lewis.