Medford vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Tempe
The Verdict
Living in Medford costs 0.0% less than Tempe. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Medford, you would need $75,000 in Tempe.
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 $75,000 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $75,000 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Tempe's 114, 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 Tempe, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $475/month in Tempe. Tempe offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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