Ann Arbor vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Ann Arbor
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.5%, with Medford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Ann Arbor has equivalent purchasing power to $69,737 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor has the same purchasing power as $69,737 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $80,660 in Ann Arbor.
Living in Ann Arbor vs Medford
Housing Costs
Ann Arbor's housing index of 135 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $406,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Ann Arbor compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Ann Arbor and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Ann Arbor vs $513/month in Medford. Ann Arbor offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Ann Arbor and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Ann Arbor vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Ann Arbor 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 $65,024 in Ann Arbor and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,039 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 $1,517/month to housing in Ann Arbor vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Ann Arbor, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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