Columbia vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Columbia
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Columbia costs 15.1% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Columbia, you would need $88,333 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Columbia has the same purchasing power as $88,333 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $63,679 in Columbia.
Living in Columbia vs Medford
Housing Costs
Columbia's housing index of 80 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $285,000 vs $406,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Columbia compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Columbia and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Columbia vs $513/month in Medford. Columbia offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Columbia and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Columbia vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Columbia 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 $66,500 in Columbia and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,889 and $69,057 respectively. Columbia residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,552/month to housing in Columbia vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Columbia, median rent of $1,150/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 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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