Medford vs Roanoke

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 $57,311 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $98,148 in Medford.

Living in Medford vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $225,000. The $181,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,760 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $464 in Roanoke. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $65,062 respectively. Medford residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,708/month to housing in Medford vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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