Gresham vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gresham
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.8%, with Medford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to $62,109 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $62,109 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $90,566 in Gresham.
Living in Gresham vs Medford
Housing Costs
Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $406,000. The $53,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,444 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham vs $513/month in Medford. Gresham offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Gresham and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Gresham 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 $69,600 in Gresham and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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