Glendale vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Glendale
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.6%, with Medford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to $70,354 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $70,354 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $79,953 in Glendale.
Living in Glendale vs Medford
Housing Costs
Glendale's housing index of 119 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $406,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale vs $513/month in Medford. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Glendale and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale 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 $70,100 in Glendale and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 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 $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Glendale, 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 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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