Medford vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Rockford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 34.2%, with Rockford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $55,896 in Rockford.
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 $55,896 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $100,633 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $155,000. The $251,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $470/month in Rockford. Rockford offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 106 in Rockford. 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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $67,468 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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