Madison vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Madison
Medford
The Verdict
Madison is 0.0% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Madison would need approximately $75,000 in Medford to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $75,000 in Madison.
Living in Madison vs Medford
Housing Costs
Madison's housing index of 115 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $406,000. The $66,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison vs $513/month in Medford. Madison offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Madison and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison 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 $67,565 in Madison and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 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 $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/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 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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