Medford vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Tacoma
The Verdict
Medford is 9.4% less expensive than Tacoma overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $82,783 in Tacoma 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 $82,783 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $67,949 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is lower Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $400,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $499/month in Tacoma. 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 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $432 in Tacoma. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 106 in Tacoma. 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 $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $50,405 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 $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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