Medford vs Scottsdale
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Scottsdale
The Verdict
Medford is 13.8% less expensive than Scottsdale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $87,028 in Scottsdale to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $87,028 in Scottsdale.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scottsdale equals $64,634 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Scottsdale
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is lower Scottsdale's 162, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $580,000. The $174,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,316 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $2,000/mo in Scottsdale, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 103 in Scottsdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $489/month in Scottsdale. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 96 in Scottsdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $384 in Scottsdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 95 in Scottsdale. 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 $92,298 in Scottsdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $75,039 respectively. Scottsdale 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 $2,154/month in Scottsdale. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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