Bellevue vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Medford costs 49.1% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bellevue, you would need $50,316 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $50,316 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $111,792 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Medford
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $406,000. The $895,000 difference in home prices means roughly $58,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $1,150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue 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 100 in Bellevue and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $69,057 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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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