CostIndexUSA

Columbia, MO vs Medford, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Columbia
89.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
OR
Medford
101.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Columbia is moderately cheaper than Medford — 13.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbia, you would need $90,700 in Medford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+41.2%
Columbia
69.2
Medford
97.7
🛒 Groceries+11.8%
Columbia
94.2
Medford
105.3
🚗 Transportation+7.8%
Columbia
97.7
Medford
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+7.8%
Columbia
88.4
Medford
95.3
Utilities+19.0%
Columbia
86
Medford
102.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Medford, OR
$90,700
$10,700 more needed in Medford

Formula: salary × (101.4 ÷ 89.4) = salary × 1.1342. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbia, MO

Median Home Price
$308,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
69.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Medford, OR

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

Medford has 41.2% higher housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Columbia, MO

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
126,254
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

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).

Columbia, MO
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.