Medford vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Peoria
The Verdict
Medford is 6.2% less expensive than Peoria overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $79,953 in Peoria 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 $79,953 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $70,354 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $495,000. The $89,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $466/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $424 in Peoria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $86,106 respectively. Peoria 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 $2,270/month in Peoria. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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