salaryRent is higher than in 85% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 91% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 32 minutes each way. Most homes (79.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 60.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $99,480 a year. That is $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Jersey cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New Jersey. It is number 189 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Hillsborough?
Share of households by yearly income. 57.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Hillsborough
| Size | Hillsborough | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,946 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,940 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,458 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,105 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Hillsborough overall?
Everyday prices in New Jersey overall are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Hillsborough, so the New Jersey figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Hillsborough
Life in Hillsborough
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hillsborough?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $536 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $435,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $43,570 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hillsborough, NJ?
Renting in Hillsborough costs a median of about $2,487 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Hillsborough?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $99,480 a year, or $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Hillsborough cheap or expensive?
Hillsborough is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.2% of the typical household income of $155,425. It ranks 189th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Hillsborough?
The median homeowner in Hillsborough pays $8,736 a year in property taxes, about 2.01% of the median home value.
Is Hillsborough more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New Jersey are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Hillsborough?
The median home value in Hillsborough is $435,700, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
22,585 people live in Hillsborough. Numbers are typical (middle) values.