McKinney vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
McKinney
Medford
The Verdict
Medford is 5.7% less expensive than McKinney overall. A household earning $75,000 in McKinney would need approximately $70,982 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 McKinney has the same purchasing power as $70,982 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $79,245 in McKinney.
Living in McKinney vs Medford
Housing Costs
McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $472,000 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: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $513/month in Medford. McKinney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in McKinney and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $388 in Medford. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 129 in McKinney and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $124,200 in McKinney and $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $69,057 respectively. McKinney residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,898/month to housing in McKinney vs $1,708/month in Medford. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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