CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Medford, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableOR
Medford
101.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Medford is slightly cheaper than Boulder — 3.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $77,100 in Medford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing37.8%
Boulder
157
Medford
97.7
🛒 Groceries+9.6%
Boulder
96.1
Medford
105.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Boulder
104.8
Medford
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Boulder
94.8
Medford
95.3
Utilities+23.7%
Boulder
82.7
Medford
102.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Medford, OR
$77,100
$2,900 less needed in Medford

Formula: salary × (101.4 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9639. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Medford, OR

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

Boulder has 37.8% lower housing costs compared to Medford.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

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).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.