Medford vs Tuscaloosa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Tuscaloosa
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 19.1%, with Tuscaloosa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $62,972 in Tuscaloosa.
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 $62,972 in Tuscaloosa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tuscaloosa equals $89,326 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Tuscaloosa
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Tuscaloosa's 74, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $265,000. The $141,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,168 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,050/mo in Tuscaloosa, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 98 in Tuscaloosa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $466/month in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 96 in Tuscaloosa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $384 in Tuscaloosa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 87 in Tuscaloosa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $49,500 in Tuscaloosa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $55,618 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 $1,155/month in Tuscaloosa. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Tuscaloosa, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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