Medford vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Youngstown
The Verdict
Youngstown is 29.3% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $58,019 in Youngstown to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $58,019 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $96,951 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $102,000. The $304,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,764 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $466/month in Youngstown. Youngstown 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 Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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