New analysis ranks this Oregon town in top 25 for best places to live in U.S.

Jenna Deml
·2 min read
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A city in Oregon has made the rankings of best places to live in the nation, according to a new analysis.

In the new report by Money, researchers sought to find the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023. Hillsboro made the cut, ranking at #23.

The study analyzed around 1,370 cities and towns across the U.S. and more than 480,000 data points across categories including cost of living, diversity, economic opportunities, quality of life and more.

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Quick facts about Hillsboro:

  • Median household income: $87,180

  • Median home price: $521,151

  • Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,897

  • Population – 107,593

  • Unemployment rate: 3.2%

Just about 20 miles west of Portland, the center of Hillsboro is easily accessible by light rail. As for fun things to do, you can hike, birdwatch and experience nature in the 635-acre Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. There is also the iconic Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals, home to the world’s largest opal-filled thunderegg. Hillsboro is also the start of the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway, a go-to for cyclists who love a challenge.

According to the study, Between 2010 and 2021, Hillsboro experienced an 18% rise in job growth between 2010 and 2021, with even more projected within the next few years. This is likely due, in part, to the “Silicon Forest,” a term for the presence of technology companies like Intel.

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Hillsboro also has close proximity to wine country and the town itself has a burgeoning craft beer industry.

The 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2022-2023 according to Money are:

  1. Atlanta, Georgia

  2. Tempe, Arizona

  3. Kirkland, Washington

  4. Raleigh, North Carolina

  5. Rogers Park (Chicago), Illinois

  6. Columbia, Maryland

  7. Somerville, Massachusetts

  8. Ann Arbor, Michigan

  9. Tampa, Florida

  10. Jersey City, New Jersey

  11. Boise, Idaho

  12. Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  13. Irvine, California

  14. Fort Lee, New Jersey

  15. Arlington, Virginia

  16. Naperville, Illinois

  17. Milton, Massachusetts

  18. Fremont, California

  19. Carmel, Indiana

  20. Rockville, Maryland

  21. Franklin, Tennessee

  22. San Diego, California

  23. Hillsboro, Oregon

  24. Abington, Pennsylvania

  25. San Jose, California

  26. Alexandria, Virginia

  27. Chanhassen, Minnesota

  28. Denver, Colorado

  29. Overland Park, Kansas

  30. Morristown, New Jersey

  31. Lafayette, Colorado

  32. Camas, Washington

  33. Alamonte Springs, Florida

  34. South Burlington, Vermont

  35. Marietta, Georgia

  36. Kirkwood, Missouri

  37. Glen Cove, New York

  38. Kaneohe, Hawaii

  39. Hutto, Texas

  40. Madison, Wisconsin

  41. Salt Lake City, Utah

  42. Bentonville, Arkansas

  43. Sarasota, Florida

  44. Nashua, New Hampshire

  45. Norman, Oklahoma

  46. Greenville, South Carolina

  47. Juneau, Alaska

  48. Coralville, Iowa

  49. Jeffersonville, Indiana

  50. Sparks, Nevada

Money magazine’s full report can be viewed here.

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