Medford vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Yuma
The Verdict
Yuma is 15.2% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $65,094 in Yuma 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 $65,094 in Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $86,413 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Yuma
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $284,000. The $122,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,932 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $480/month in Yuma. Yuma 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 87 in Yuma. 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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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