Medford vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Minneapolis
The Verdict
Living in Medford costs 0.0% less than Minneapolis. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Medford, you would need $75,000 in Minneapolis.
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 $75,000 in Minneapolis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Minneapolis equals $75,000 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Minneapolis
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Minneapolis's 112, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $310,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,500/mo in Minneapolis, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 104 in Minneapolis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $494/month in Minneapolis. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 97 in Minneapolis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $388 in Minneapolis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 105 in Minneapolis. 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 $64,285 in Minneapolis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $60,646 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 $1,500/month in Minneapolis. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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