CostIndexUSA

Medford, OR vs Topeka, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OR
Medford
101.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Topeka is moderately cheaper than Medford — 12.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Medford, you would need $70,100 in Topeka. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.5%
Medford
97.7
Topeka
65
🛒 Groceries10.7%
Medford
105.3
Topeka
94
🚗 Transportation6.5%
Medford
105.3
Topeka
98.5
🏥 Healthcare6.5%
Medford
95.3
Topeka
89.1
Utilities13.1%
Medford
102.3
Topeka
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Topeka, KS
$70,100
$9,900 less needed in Topeka

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 101.4) = salary × 0.8757. 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×

Topeka, KS

Median Home Price
$204,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,125
Housing Index
65
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.1×

Medford has 33.5% lower housing costs compared to Topeka.

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

Topeka, KS

Median Household Income
$65,300
Per Capita Income
$37,200
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
125,310
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetail

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)

Topeka, KS
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.