CostIndexUSA

Medford, OR vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOR
Medford
101.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Medford is slightly cheaper than Modesto — 2.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Medford, you would need $82,100 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+11.1%
Medford
97.7
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Medford
105.3
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Medford
105.3
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Medford
95.3
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+48.9%
Medford
102.3
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$82,100
$2,100 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 101.4) = salary × 1.0266. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Medford, OR

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

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Modesto has 11.1% higher housing costs compared to Medford.

Income & Job Market

Medford, OR

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

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Medford, OR
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.