Reverse mortgages in Hillsboro
A reverse mortgage works the same in Washington County as it does anywhere, but the numbers do not. Below is what the data says about Hillsboro owners, and what that means if you are 62 or older and thinking about staying in your home.
| Measure | Hillsboro | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65 and older | 11.9% | 21% | 18.9% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 50.2% | 63.3% | 65.2% |
| Median home value | $521,100 | $477,600 | $332,700 |
| Monthly owner costs, no mortgage | $752 | $684 | $638 |
| Monthly owner costs, with mortgage | $2,227 | $2,157 | $1,963 |
| Median household income | $106,409 | $83,011 | $80,734 |
| Veterans | 5,047 | 246,300 | 16,185,883 |
Monthly owner costs are medians and include taxes, insurance, utilities and any mortgage. The Census reports these up to $4,000.
The bills that do not go away
Even with no mortgage, Hillsboro owners report a median of $752 a month in housing costs. On a HECM you keep paying property taxes, insurance and upkeep. Fall behind and the loan can come due.
Lenders check your payment history and income for this reason. If the numbers are tight, some of your proceeds can be set aside to pay taxes and insurance for you, which reduces your available cash.
Is $1,475 a month the number that matters?
That is about how much less a Hillsboro owner without a mortgage spends each month than one with a mortgage, going by Census medians of $752 and $2,227.
It is a broad measure, since homes and loans differ, but it shows why removing a required payment can matter more than a lump of cash. Interest still builds on the balance, so the saving is paid for out of your equity.
Home prices around Hillsboro
Over the past five years, the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area has seen home values move +21.2%, according to FHFA, with +1.4% in the latest year. Oregon as a whole moved +15.8% over the same five years.
Applied to the $521,100 Census median, that five-year change works out to roughly $90,000 of value, on a home that would have been about $430,000 back then. Your own home may have done better or worse.
With prices moving slowly, do not plan around future gains. Build the plan on what the home is worth today and on how quickly the balance would grow.
Fewer seniors than the state average
The 11.9% share of residents 65 or older in Hillsboro sits well under the 21% statewide figure. Still, that is about 13,000 residents, and many have a decade or more of equity behind them.
Because many in this group are at the younger end of eligibility, timing matters. Waiting generally raises the share of value you can access, while a credit line opened early can have time to grow.
Property tax help in Washington County
Before you borrow against a Hillsboro home, see whether a tax program covers the gap. Oregon's Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral has a 2026 household income limit of $70,000 and charges 6 percent simple interest. Here is the catch: the Department of Revenue only names reverse mortgages taken out between July 1, 2011 and January 1, 2017 as possibly qualifying. Talk to the Washington County assessor before you sign a reverse loan if deferral matters to you. See the full Oregon reverse mortgage guide.
The rules in brief
You need to be 62 or older, live in this Hillsboro home as your main residence, and complete HUD-approved counseling first (call 1-800-569-4287 to find a counselor). Repayment is triggered when the last borrower moves out, sells or passes away. For costs and spouse rules, read our reverse mortgage guide. If you would rather compare, see our HELOC page or the Hillsboro mortgage page.
More in Oregon: Beaverton, Gresham, Salem, Corvallis, Springfield, Medford.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (American Community Survey 2020-2024, population estimates July 2025). FHFA House Price Index, 2026 Q2. HUD 2026 HECM limit.
Common questions
Can I get a reverse mortgage on my Hillsboro home?
Many Hillsboro owners can. The tests are your age (62 or older), your equity, your ability to keep up with taxes and insurance, and whether the property meets FHA standards.
Does the HECM limit matter for a Hillsboro home?
Most are comfortably under it. The 2026 limit is $1,249,125, and the Hillsboro median is $521,100, so proceeds are driven by your age, the appraisal and rates rather than the cap.
How much have home values risen near Hillsboro?
FHFA shows Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro at +1.4% over one year and +21.2% over five years as of the second quarter of 2026.
Who still pays the Washington County property tax bill?
It stays with you. If the assessment shows a risk, a lender may set aside loan funds to pay it, which lowers the cash you can draw.
Bayview Residential is a mortgage broker and is not affiliated with HUD or FHA. A reverse mortgage is a loan that must be repaid, and the balance grows over time. You must keep paying property taxes, insurance and home maintenance, and live in the home as your principal residence. All loans are subject to eligibility and approval. This page is general information and not legal, tax or benefits advice.