Medford vs Sugar Land
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Sugar Land
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.6%, with Medford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $77,830 in Sugar Land.
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 $77,830 in Sugar Land.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $72,273 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Sugar Land
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $456,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $470/month in Sugar Land. Sugar Land offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $384 in Sugar Land. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 96 in Sugar Land. 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 $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land 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 $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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