Medford vs Port St Lucie
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Port St Lucie
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.1%, with Port St Lucie being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $70,047 in Port St Lucie.
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 $70,047 in Port St Lucie.
Conversely, $75,000 in Port St Lucie equals $80,303 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Port St Lucie
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Port St Lucie's 103, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $384,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 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 Port St Lucie, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 102 in Port St Lucie. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $485/month in Port St Lucie. Port St Lucie offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 93 in Port St Lucie. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $372 in Port St Lucie. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 96 in Port St Lucie. 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 $81,100 in Port St Lucie. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $81,919 respectively. Port St Lucie 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 $1,892/month in Port St Lucie. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Port St Lucie, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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