Fort Collins vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Medford costs 9.4% less than Fort Collins. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins, you would need $68,534 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $68,534 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $82,075 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Medford
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $406,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $513/month in Medford. Fort Collins offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Fort Collins and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins 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 $74,800 in Fort Collins and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 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 $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/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 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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