Huntsville vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Huntsville
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 14.2%, with Huntsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to $87,363 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has the same purchasing power as $87,363 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $64,387 in Huntsville.
Living in Huntsville vs Medford
Housing Costs
Huntsville's housing index of 79 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $406,000. The $146,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Huntsville compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Huntsville and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Huntsville vs $513/month in Medford. Huntsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Huntsville and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Huntsville vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Huntsville 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 $56,098 in Huntsville and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,646 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 $1,309/month to housing in Huntsville vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/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 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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