Medford vs Milwaukee
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Milwaukee
The Verdict
Milwaukee is 15.2% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $65,094 in Milwaukee 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 Medford has the same purchasing power as $65,094 in Milwaukee.
Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $86,413 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Milwaukee
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Milwaukee's 80, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $175,000. 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: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,100/mo in Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $475/month in Milwaukee. Milwaukee offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 97 in Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $388 in Milwaukee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 102 in Milwaukee. 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 $73,200 in Medford and $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $47,874 respectively. Medford residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,708/month to housing in Medford vs $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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