Medford vs Virginia Beach

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 $74,292 in Virginia Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $75,714 in Medford.

Living in Medford vs Virginia Beach

Housing Costs

Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $310,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach 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 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $392 in Virginia Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 99 in Virginia Beach. 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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $69,922 respectively. Virginia Beach 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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