Albuquerque vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Albuquerque costs 13.2% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $86,413 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $86,413 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $65,094 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Medford
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $406,000. The $146,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $513/month in Medford. Albuquerque offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Albuquerque and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,911 in Albuquerque and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $69,057 respectively. Medford residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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