Lancaster vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lancaster
Medford
The Verdict
Medford is 20.8% less expensive than Lancaster overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lancaster would need approximately $62,109 in Medford to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lancaster has the same purchasing power as $62,109 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $90,566 in Lancaster.
Living in Lancaster vs Medford
Housing Costs
Lancaster's housing index of 148 is higher Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $447,000 vs $406,000. The $41,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,664 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Lancaster compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Lancaster and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Lancaster 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 111 in Lancaster and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Lancaster vs $388 in Medford. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Lancaster 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 $81,500 in Lancaster and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,672 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 $1,902/month to housing in Lancaster vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,625/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 Transportation, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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