Lansing vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lansing
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Lansing costs 20.8% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lansing, you would need $94,643 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lansing has the same purchasing power as $94,643 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $59,434 in Lansing.
Living in Lansing vs Medford
Housing Costs
Lansing's housing index of 53 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $158,000 vs $406,000. The $248,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,116 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Lansing compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 89 in Lansing and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $423/month in Lansing vs $513/month in Medford. Lansing offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1080/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Lansing and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Lansing vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Lansing 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 $54,400 in Lansing and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,762 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 $1,269/month to housing in Lansing vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Lansing, median rent of $1,050/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 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases