Charleston vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Medford
The Verdict
Charleston is 19.8% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Charleston would need approximately $93,529 in Medford to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $93,529 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $60,142 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Medford
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $406,000. The $271,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,616 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston vs $513/month in Medford. Charleston offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Charleston and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston 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 $42,034 in Charleston and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 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 $981/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Charleston, median rent of $850/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 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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