Fort Worth vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Worth
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.4%, with Fort Worth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to $83,684 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $83,684 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $67,217 in Fort Worth.
Living in Fort Worth vs Medford
Housing Costs
Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $406,000. The $136,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,844 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $513/month in Medford. Fort Worth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Fort Worth and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth 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 $62,187 in Fort Worth and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 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 $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/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 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases