Medford vs Roswell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Roswell
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.2%, with Medford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $79,953 in Roswell.
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 Roswell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $70,354 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Roswell
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $647,000. The $241,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,660 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $480/month in Roswell. Roswell offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $392 in Roswell. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 103 in Roswell. 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 $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $96,283 respectively. Roswell 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 $2,539/month in Roswell. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Roswell, median rent of $1,700/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
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases