Lubbock vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lubbock
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 21.7%, with Lubbock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lubbock has equivalent purchasing power to $95,783 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lubbock has the same purchasing power as $95,783 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $58,726 in Lubbock.
Living in Lubbock vs Medford
Housing Costs
Lubbock's housing index of 59 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $406,000. The $231,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,012 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Lubbock compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in Lubbock and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in Lubbock vs $513/month in Medford. Lubbock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Lubbock and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Lubbock vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Lubbock and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,834 in Lubbock and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,041 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 $1,163/month to housing in Lubbock vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Lubbock, median rent of $950/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 80 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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