Medford vs Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Salem
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.9%, with Salem being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $73,585 in Salem.
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 $73,585 in Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $76,442 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Salem
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $400,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $475/month in Salem. Salem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 97 in Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $388 in Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 100 in Salem. 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 $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $63,846 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 $1,549/month in Salem. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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