Medford vs Nashville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Nashville
The Verdict
Living in Nashville costs 3.9% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Medford, you would need $72,170 in Nashville.
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 $72,170 in Nashville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nashville equals $77,941 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Nashville
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Nashville's 108, 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 $1,600/mo in Nashville, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 96 in Nashville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $456/month in Nashville. Nashville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 92 in Nashville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $368 in Nashville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 98 in Nashville. 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 $59,828 in Nashville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $58,655 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 $1,396/month in Nashville. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Nashville, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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