Lexington vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lexington
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.3%, with Lexington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $85,484 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $85,484 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $65,802 in Lexington.
Living in Lexington vs Medford
Housing Costs
Lexington's housing index of 82 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $406,000. The $161,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,464 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $513/month in Medford. Lexington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Lexington and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington 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 $55,648 in Lexington and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 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 $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/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 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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