Athens vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Athens
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.0%, with Athens being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Athens has equivalent purchasing power to $90,341 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Athens has the same purchasing power as $90,341 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $62,264 in Athens.
Living in Athens vs Medford
Housing Costs
Athens's housing index of 78 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $307,000 vs $406,000. The $99,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens vs $513/month in Medford. Athens offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Athens and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Athens 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 $56,700 in Athens and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 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 $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/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 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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