Bethlehem vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bethlehem
Medford
The Verdict
Bethlehem is 8.5% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bethlehem would need approximately $81,959 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 Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $81,959 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $68,632 in Bethlehem.
Living in Bethlehem vs Medford
Housing Costs
Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $406,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $513/month in Medford. Bethlehem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem 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 $62,600 in Bethlehem and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 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 $1,461/month to housing in Bethlehem vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/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 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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