Medford vs Sandy
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Sandy
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.2%, with Medford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $90,566 in Sandy.
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 $90,566 in Sandy.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy equals $62,109 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Sandy
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is lower Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $630,000. The $224,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $475/month in Sandy. Sandy 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 88 in Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $352 in Sandy. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 95 in Sandy. 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 $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $86,875 respectively. Sandy 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 $2,595/month in Sandy. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Sandy, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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