Augusta vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Medford
The Verdict
Augusta is 16.0% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $89,326 in Medford to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $89,326 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $62,972 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Medford
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $406,000. The $156,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,140 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $513/month in Medford. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Augusta and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $388 in Medford. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 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 $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Augusta, median rent of $950/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 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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