Arlington vs Medford

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $48,476 in Medford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $116,038 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Medford

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $406,000. The $334,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $975.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $513/month in Medford. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $69,057 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 110 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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