Fall River, MA vs Medford, MA

The cost of living difference between Fall River, MA and Medford, MA is dramatic. Fall River is 43.3% cheaper than Medford, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fall River has a cost index of 98 while Medford sits at 172, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fall River is $1,086/month compared to $2,477/month in Medford — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fall River is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $715,500.

Median household income in Fall River is $53,933 compared to $118,089 in Medford (-54.3%). While Medford is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fall River spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Medford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.4°F vs 51.9°F). Fall River receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Medford.