Medford vs Pearland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Pearland
The Verdict
Living in Pearland costs 6.0% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Medford, you would need $70,755 in Pearland.
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 $70,755 in Pearland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pearland equals $79,500 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Pearland
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Pearland's 99, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $372,000. The $34,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,208 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 Pearland, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 97 in Pearland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $461/month in Pearland. Pearland offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 100 in Pearland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $400 in Pearland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 105 in Pearland. 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 $118,800 in Pearland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $118,800 respectively. Pearland 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 $2,772/month in Pearland. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Pearland, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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