Medford vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Montgomery
The Verdict
Montgomery is 34.2% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $55,896 in Montgomery 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 $55,896 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $100,633 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $162,000. The $244,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,864 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $470/month in Montgomery. Montgomery offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,200 in Medford and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,708/month to housing in Medford vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases