Macon vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Macon
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.3%, with Macon being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Macon has equivalent purchasing power to $104,605 in Medford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Macon has the same purchasing power as $104,605 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $53,774 in Macon.
Living in Macon vs Medford
Housing Costs
Macon's housing index of 44 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $194,000 vs $406,000. The $212,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,776 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Macon compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Macon and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Macon vs $513/month in Medford. Macon offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Macon and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Macon vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Macon 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 $47,000 in Macon and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,842 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 $1,097/month to housing in Macon vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Macon, 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 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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