Hillsborough, NC vs Leland, NC

Hillsborough, NC and Leland, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Hillsborough scores 110 while Leland scores 111 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 Hillsborough is $1,349/month compared to $1,603/month in Leland — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hillsborough has cheaper rent, Leland actually has lower median home values ($358,800 vs $430,100).

Median household income in Hillsborough is $98,467 compared to $88,576 in Leland (+11.2%). Hillsborough offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillsborough spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in Leland.