Champaign vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Champaign costs 23.6% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $98,148 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $98,148 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $57,311 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Medford
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $406,000. The $191,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $513/month in Medford. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $69,057 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases