Carson City vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Carson City
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Medford costs 2.8% less than Carson City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Carson City, you would need $72,936 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Carson City has the same purchasing power as $72,936 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $77,123 in Carson City.
Living in Carson City vs Medford
Housing Costs
Carson City's housing index of 135 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $538,000 vs $406,000. The $132,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Carson City compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Carson City and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Carson City 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 82 in Carson City and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Carson City 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 95 in Carson City 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 $72,400 in Carson City and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,422 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 $1,689/month to housing in Carson City vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Carson City, median rent of $1,325/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 Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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