Medford vs Palm Bay
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Palm Bay
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.4%, with Palm Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $67,925 in Palm Bay.
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 $67,925 in Palm Bay.
Conversely, $75,000 in Palm Bay equals $82,813 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Palm Bay
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Palm Bay's 90, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $315,000. The $91,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,916 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 Palm Bay, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 101 in Palm Bay. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $480/month in Palm Bay. Palm Bay offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 97 in Palm Bay. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $388 in Palm Bay. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 93 in Palm Bay. 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 $72,600 in Palm Bay. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $75,625 respectively. Palm Bay 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 $1,694/month in Palm Bay. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Palm Bay, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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