Hillsboro, IA vs Thompson, IA

Thompson is moderately more affordable than Hillsboro, with a 11.3% lower cost of living index. Hillsboro scores 68 compared to 61 for Thompson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hillsboro can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hillsboro is $1,063/month compared to $696/month in Thompson — a 53% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Thompson has cheaper rent, Hillsboro actually has lower median home values ($47,800 vs $99,600).

Median household income in Hillsboro is $43,125 compared to $49,375 in Thompson (-12.7%). Thompson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillsboro spend roughly 29.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in Thompson.

Climate-wise, Hillsboro is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 45.6°F in Thompson. Hillsboro receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 36.3" in Thompson.