CostIndexUSA

Medford, OR vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOR
Medford
101.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Medford is slightly cheaper than Worcester — 1.1% lower overall cost of living.

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+15.7%
Medford
97.7
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries7.9%
Medford
105.3
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Medford
105.3
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Medford
95.3
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+51.7%
Medford
102.3
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$80,900
$900 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 101.4) = salary × 1.0108. 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×

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Worcester has 15.7% 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

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

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)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.