Kent vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kent
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Medford costs 29.2% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $58,029 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $58,029 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $96,934 in Kent.
Living in Kent vs Medford
Housing Costs
Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $406,000. The $189,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,288 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent 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 92 in Kent and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $69,057 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases