Medford vs Syracuse
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Syracuse
The Verdict
Living in Syracuse costs 15.2% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Medford, you would need $65,094 in Syracuse.
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 $65,094 in Syracuse.
Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $86,413 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Syracuse
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $140,000. The $266,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,292 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $480/month in Syracuse. Syracuse offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $420 in Syracuse. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 100 in Syracuse. 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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $39,900 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 $857/month in Syracuse. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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