Indianapolis vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Indianapolis
Medford
💡 The Verdict
Indianapolis is 21% cheaper than Medford overall. A $75,000 salary in Indianapolis is equivalent to $95,380 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Indianapolis (left) vs Medford (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Indianapolis versus Medford. Differences shown from Indianapolis perspective.
| Item | Indianapolis | Medford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $770/mo | $890/mo | $-120.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,100/mo | $1,200/mo | $-100.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,470/mo | $1,590/mo | $-120.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.80 | $3.32 | $-0.52 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.31 | $4.61 | $-1.30 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.18 | $3.58 | $-0.40 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.90 | $6.61 | $-0.71 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.30 | $3.64 | $-0.34 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.28 | $15.21 | $-0.93 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Indianapolis has the same purchasing power as $95,380 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $58,974 in Indianapolis.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3599 difference is driven by Oregon having a higher state income tax rate. Indiana details → · Oregon details →
Reading These Numbers: Indianapolis (92) vs Medford (117)
Indianapolis at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Medford at 117 is 17% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Indianapolis, the composite index of 92 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 80, followed by groceries (98), utilities (90), transportation (103), and healthcare (96). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,100/mo in Indianapolis and $1,200/mo in Medford, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $70,000.0 difference in median home prices between Indianapolis and Medford translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Indianapolis vs Medford
Choosing between Indianapolis and Medford involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Indianapolis against Medford, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.