Medford vs Springdale
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Springdale
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 21.8%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $61,557 in Springdale.
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 $61,557 in Springdale.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $91,379 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Springdale
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $299,000. The $107,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $461/month in Springdale. Springdale offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,200 in Medford and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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