Medford vs Waterbury
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Waterbury
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 11.6%, with Waterbury being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Medford has equivalent purchasing power to $67,217 in Waterbury.
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 $67,217 in Waterbury.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $83,684 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Waterbury
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $280,000. The $126,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $480/month in Waterbury. Waterbury 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 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $472 in Waterbury. 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 99 in Waterbury. 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 $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $51,263 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 $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Waterbury, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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