Moving to Hillsboro, Oregon in 2026: Your Complete Guide to Portland’s Tech Hub

If you’re considering a move to the Portland metro area, Hillsboro deserves a serious look. Nestled on the west side of the metro, Hillsboro has grown from a quiet farming community into Oregon’s fifth-largest city — a thriving hub where cutting-edge technology meets small-town warmth. With a population of roughly 111,000, tree-lined streets, top-rated schools, and major employers like Intel right in the city limits, Hillsboro offers something increasingly rare in the Pacific Northwest: a genuinely high quality of life without the chaos of downtown Portland. Whether you’re relocating for work, upsizing for a growing family, or simply looking for a more affordable alternative to the Portland core, this guide from Cal’s Moving & Storage will walk you through everything you need to know about moving to Hillsboro in 2026.

Why Hillsboro Is One of Oregon’s Fastest-Growing Cities

Hillsboro’s growth story is closely tied to what locals call the “Silicon Forest.” When Intel built its massive campus here in the 1970s, it planted the seed for a tech corridor that now rivals parts of the Bay Area in innovation — without the Bay Area price tag. Today, Intel’s Hillsboro campus is one of the company’s largest worldwide, and the ripple effect has attracted Genentech, Salesforce, Synopsys, and a wave of startups and biotech firms. Moody’s Analytics projects nearly 12 percent job growth in Hillsboro by the end of 2026, making it one of the strongest job markets in the Pacific Northwest.

But Hillsboro isn’t just about tech jobs. The city has invested heavily in livability — from its expanding MAX Blue Line light rail connections to Portland, to the new $153 million Hillsboro Hops baseball stadium that opens this April. The new stadium seats 6,000 fans and doubles as a mid-sized concert venue, adding a whole new dimension to the city’s entertainment scene. Downtown Hillsboro is also getting a major facelift with groundbreaking on Block 67, a mixed-use development that will bring 338 new residential units and ground-floor retail to the heart of the city’s Health and Education District.

Best Neighborhoods in Hillsboro for Families and Professionals

One of the best things about moving to Hillsboro is the variety of neighborhoods, each with its own character. Orenco Station is the walkable darling of the west side — a mixed-use community with townhomes, condos, and row houses woven between restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. If you commute to Portland, the Orenco MAX station puts you downtown in about 40 minutes. Median single-family home prices here hover around $575,000, reflecting the neighborhood’s popularity.

Tanasbourne, on Hillsboro’s eastern edge near Beaverton, is a more affordable option with a median price around $414,500. It’s a shopper’s paradise with the Streets of Tanasbourne and easy access to Highway 26. For families who want newer construction, Reed’s Crossing in South Hillsboro offers master-planned living with parks, walking trails, and a community feel that’s hard to beat. The homes are energy-efficient and the neighborhood was designed from scratch with young families in mind.

Jackson School is another standout, sitting just minutes from Intel’s campus with 36 acres of open space connected by miles of walking paths. And if you want a more rural feel while still being in the city, the West Union area in northwest Hillsboro offers larger lots and easy access to Helvetia’s farm country — perfect for anyone who wants space to breathe.

Schools and Education in Hillsboro

The Hillsboro School District is one of the largest in Oregon, serving more than 20,000 students across dozens of elementary, middle, and high schools. The district is known for strong STEM programs — not surprising given the city’s tech roots — and offers popular dual-language immersion programs in Spanish and Japanese. Century High School and Glencoe High School are both well-regarded, and Liberty High School in South Hillsboro has quickly earned a reputation for academic excellence since opening.

For families with younger children, Hillsboro’s elementary schools consistently perform above state averages. The West Union, Jackson School, and Reed’s Crossing areas are particularly popular with families who prioritize school ratings. There’s also a growing number of private and charter options, including the Hillsboro Online Academy for flexible learners.

Cost of Living and What to Budget for Your Hillsboro Move

Compared to downtown Portland, Hillsboro offers more house for your money — but it’s not cheap by national standards. The median home price sits around $520,000 as of early 2026, with neighborhoods like Orenco Station commanding premiums and areas like Tanasbourne and parts of Southeast Hillsboro offering more entry-level pricing. Renters can expect to pay roughly $1,600 to $2,100 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, depending on the neighborhood and amenities.

Oregon has no sales tax, which is a welcome surprise for transplants from California, Washington, or most other states. However, Oregon’s income tax is among the highest in the nation, so factor that into your budgeting. Utilities in Hillsboro run fairly average for the Pacific Northwest — expect about $150 to $200 per month for a typical single-family home. One exciting development: the city’s HiLight broadband fiber internet service is expanding aggressively in 2026, rolling into the Jackson School and Glencoe neighborhoods with gigabit speeds at competitive rates.

Things to Do in Hillsboro: Parks, Dining, and Entertainment

Hillsboro has come a long way from the days when you’d have to drive into Portland for entertainment. The Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is a 635-acre nature sanctuary perfect for bird watching, hiking, and wildlife photography. Rood Bridge Park offers gorgeous gardens, a disc golf course, and a popular community gathering space along Rock Creek. Shute Park, in the heart of downtown, just received Community Choice grant funding for upgrades in 2026 and will feature a new public art installation called Cloud Nest.

The dining scene has exploded in recent years, especially along Orenco Station’s main strip and in downtown Hillsboro. From Syun Izakaya’s authentic Japanese cuisine to Abigail’s Cafe for classic American brunch, there’s something for every palate. The Hillsboro Tuesday Marketplace, running every summer, is one of the largest farmers markets in the region.

And for sports fans, 2026 is a landmark year. The brand-new Hillsboro Hops stadium opens in April, giving the city a state-of-the-art venue for minor league baseball, concerts, and community events. With a capacity of 6,000 for games and 7,000 for concerts, plus a beer garden and food hall, it’s going to be a game-changer for local entertainment.

Getting Around: Commute and Transportation

One of Hillsboro’s biggest advantages is its connectivity. The MAX Blue Line light rail runs directly through the city, connecting Orenco Station, Hillsboro’s downtown, and other stops all the way to Portland’s city center. If you work in downtown Portland, the commute is about 45 to 55 minutes by MAX — a great option for avoiding Highway 26 traffic, which can be punishing during rush hour.

If you work at Intel, Nike, or one of the other major employers on the west side, your commute could be as short as 10 to 15 minutes by car. Highway 26 and the Sunset Highway provide the main east-west corridor, while TV Highway (Tualatin Valley Highway) offers a surface-street alternative. Hillsboro is also making strides in bikeability — the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway starts right here, winding 50 miles through forests, farmland, and wetlands.

Moving Tips for Your Hillsboro Relocation

Whether you’re coming from across town or across the state, partnering with a local moving company that knows Hillsboro makes all the difference. Cal’s Moving and Storage has been helping families and professionals move throughout the Portland metro for years, and our team knows every neighborhood, every tricky stairwell, and every narrow street in Hillsboro. We offer full packing services, short- and long-term storage, and straightforward pricing with no hidden fees.

If you’re moving to Hillsboro from outside the region, our long-distance moving services cover the entire West Coast and beyond. And if you need a few days between your move-out and move-in dates, our secure storage facilities keep your belongings safe while you get settled.

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