Medford vs Naperville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Naperville
The Verdict
Living in Medford costs 5.4% less than Naperville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Medford, you would need $79,245 in Naperville.
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 Naperville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $70,982 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Naperville
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $430,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $494/month in Naperville. 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 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $396 in Naperville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 101 in Naperville. 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 $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $105,584 respectively. Naperville 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 $2,759/month in Naperville. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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