CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Medford, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableOR
Medford
101.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Medford is moderately cheaper than Boston — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $74,900 in Medford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.2%
Boston
148.4
Medford
97.7
🛒 Groceries+5.6%
Boston
99.7
Medford
105.3
🚗 Transportation3.2%
Boston
108.8
Medford
105.3
🏥 Healthcare3.2%
Boston
98.4
Medford
95.3
Utilities31.3%
Boston
148.8
Medford
102.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boston to see what you'd need to earn in Medford to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Medford, OR
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in Medford

Formula: salary × (101.4 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.9363. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Medford, OR

Median Home Price
$425,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
97.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.8×

Boston has 34.2% lower housing costs compared to Medford.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Medford, OR

Median Household Income
$71,700
Per Capita Income
$40,900
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
85,824
Top Industries
HealthcareAgricultureRetailManufacturingTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Medford, OR
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.