Medford vs Winston-Salem

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 $59,434 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $94,643 in Medford.

Living in Medford vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $250,000. The $156,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,140 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 Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 103 in Winston-Salem. 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 $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $62,619 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 $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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