Charleston vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.8%, with Medford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to $72,273 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Charleston has the same purchasing power as $72,273 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $77,830 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Medford
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 127 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $406,000. The $26,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,692 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Charleston compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Charleston and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Charleston vs $513/month in Medford. Charleston offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Charleston and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Charleston vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Charleston 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 $65,872 in Charleston and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,884 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 $1,537/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/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 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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