Boise vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Boise costs 0.0% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $75,000 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boise has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $75,000 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Medford
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $406,000. The $14,000 difference in home prices means roughly $912 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $513/month in Medford. Boise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise 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 $60,818 in Boise and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 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 $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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