Birmingham vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Birmingham
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.9%, with Birmingham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to $91,379 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $91,379 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $61,557 in Birmingham.
Living in Birmingham vs Medford
Housing Costs
Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $406,000. The $241,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,660 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $513/month in Medford. Birmingham offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Birmingham and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Birmingham and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $38,178 in Birmingham and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 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 $891/month to housing in Birmingham vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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