Medford vs Modesto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Modesto
The Verdict
Medford is 5.4% less expensive than Modesto overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $79,245 in Modesto 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 $79,245 in Modesto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $70,982 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Modesto
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $380,000. The $26,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,692 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $475/month in Modesto. Modesto 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 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $432 in Modesto. 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 100 in Medford and 100 in Modesto. 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 $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $49,230 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 $1,287/month in Modesto. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases