Lancaster vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lancaster
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 5.7%, with Lancaster being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lancaster has equivalent purchasing power to $79,500 in Medford.
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 $79,500 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $70,755 in Lancaster.
Living in Lancaster vs Medford
Housing Costs
Lancaster's housing index of 67 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $406,000. The $181,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,760 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Lancaster compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Lancaster and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Lancaster vs $513/month in Medford. Lancaster offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Lancaster and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 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 94 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 $63,700 in Lancaster and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,700 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 $1,486/month to housing in Lancaster vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,175/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 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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