Localized for 1,000+ U.S. cities — adjusted for local labor, climate & permits
City comparison

Spray Foam Insulation cost: Hillsboro vs Medford (2026)

Hillsboro runs 3% higher than Medford for spray foam insulation — expect around $4,000 in Hillsboro against $3,900 in Medford, a difference of about $100.

Hillsboro OR

$1,600 $6,400

Typically around $4,000

Medford OR

Lower cost
$1,550 $6,200

Typically around $3,900

Expect to pay roughly $100 (3%) more for spray foam insulation in Hillsboro than in Medford — local labor is the main reason.
Side by side

Hillsboro vs Medford: full breakdown

FactorHillsboroMedford
Typical 2026 cost$4,000$3,900
Estimated range$1,600–$6,400$1,550–$6,200
Labor index (vs US)×1.07×1.03
Climate zoneMixedMixed
Climate factor×1×1
Local permitNoneNone
Labor share$2,200$2,150
Materials/equipment$1,800$1,750

Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national spray foam insulation range for local labor, climate and permits.

The verdict

Is the gap worth worrying about?

3% is within noise for spray foam insulation — contractor selection and timing move the price more than which of these two metros you're in.

By type

Spray foam insulation by type: Hillsboro vs Medford

Every spray foam insulation type gets its own localized price for each metro, using the same labor, climate and permit adjustments — a true apples-to-apples comparison.

TypeHillsboroMedford
Open-cell$1,600$4,800$1,550$4,650
Closed-cell$2,650$7,450$2,600$7,250

These are 2026 planning figures for spray foam insulation, localized to each city — not formal quotes.

By size

Spray foam insulation by area: Hillsboro vs Medford

Spray foam is priced by board foot (1 sq ft at 1 inch thick), which works out to about $1.50–$5 per sq ft of surface installed depending on foam type and thickness. Closed-cell costs more but adds twice the R-value per inch.

SizeHillsboroMedford
500 sq ft$950$2,550$950$2,500
1,000 sq ft$1,600$4,250$1,550$4,150
1,500 sq ft$2,350$5,850$2,250$5,700
2,000+ sq ft$3,000$6,950$2,900$6,700

All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for spray foam insulation — get an actual quote before you commit.

Local labor reality

What insulation pros earn in each metro

With labor making up about 55% of a spray foam insulation job, wage differences between metros do most of the work here. These figures are real BLS OEWS installer wages, not modeled estimates.

Hillsboro, OR
$34.9/hr

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro · about 12% above the US average installer wage.

Medford, OR
Modeled from state data

No BLS metro wage series for Medford; we use Oregon regional price parity instead.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metro wages for HVAC installers (used as a trade-labor index).

Best time to buy

Cheapest time for spray foam insulation in either city

Fall is when everyone rushes to insulate before winter hits, making it the busiest and priciest season. Spring and summer see far less demand — and utility rebate budgets are often still full that early in the year.

Best window
Spring and summer
Avoid
The pre-winter fall rush
Off-peak savings
5–10%
Editors' roundtable

How much insulation is worth paying for?

How much you spend on insulation and how fast it pays back come down to R-value, air-sealing and material. Our editors break down the trade-offs.

The air-sealing case

Blown-in or batt, insulation can only slow the heat that isn't already escaping through gaps and penetrations. Sealing those leaks costs little and frequently buys more comfort per dollar than piling on extra R-value, so confirm it's written into the scope.

The rebate case

Few home projects come with rebate support like insulation does — utility and state programs routinely offset a meaningful slice of the bill (the federal 25C credit closed in December 2025). Run your address through DSIRE first, and book when a program's yearly budget has just refilled.

The R-value case

Insulate to the DOE recommendation for your climate zone — under-insulating to save money leaves comfort and energy savings on the table that would have paid the job back.

Our take

Rare among home projects, insulation punishes the half-measure — the money saved by under-insulating or skipping the air-seal comes back as higher bills. Meet the DOE R-value for your zone, seal the leaks first, and use the rebates on the table.

FAQ

Hillsboro vs Medford

Is spray foam insulation cheaper in Hillsboro or Medford?

Yes — Hillsboro costs more. Expect around $4,000 for spray foam insulation there against $3,900 in Medford, about $100 (3%) apart in 2026.

Why does spray foam insulation cost more in Hillsboro than Medford?

The main driver is local labor rates: Hillsboro's labor index is 1.07 versus 1.03 in Medford. Climate zone (mixed vs mixed) also shift the total.

How much is spray foam insulation in Hillsboro, OR?

spray foam insulation in Hillsboro runs $1,600–$6,400 as of 2026 — most jobs land near $4,000.

When is the cheapest time to buy spray foam insulation — and does it differ by city?

The best window is the same in both Hillsboro and Medford: Spring and summer, when demand drops and installers discount to keep crews busy — typically 5–10% off peak pricing. The most expensive time anywhere is an emergency replacement during the pre-winter fall rush.

Should I choose where to live based on spray foam insulation cost?

Not really — the $100 gap is one-time, and smart timing and tighter quotes in Hillsboro can shrink it. Factors that compound over time, like energy prices and home condition, deserve more weight than a single upfront difference.

Keep comparing

Compare spray foam insulation in other cities

Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik