Medford vs Rapid City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Rapid City
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 8.2%, with Rapid City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $69,340 in Rapid City.
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 $69,340 in Rapid City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rapid City equals $81,122 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Rapid City
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Rapid City's 91, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $325,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,100/mo in Rapid City, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 102 in Rapid City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $485/month in Rapid City. Rapid City 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 87 in Rapid City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $348 in Rapid City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 107 in Rapid City. 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 $70,900 in Rapid City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $72,347 respectively. Rapid City 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 $1,654/month in Rapid City. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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