Gardner, MA vs Medford, MA

The cost of living difference between Gardner, MA and Medford, MA is dramatic. Gardner is 47.4% cheaper than Medford, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gardner has a cost index of 91 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 Gardner is $1,071/month compared to $2,477/month in Medford — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gardner is more affordable at $271,300 median vs $715,500.

Median household income in Gardner is $62,948 compared to $118,089 in Medford (-46.7%). The higher salaries in Medford partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gardner spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Medford.

Climate-wise, Medford is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 48.9°F in Gardner. Medford receives more rainfall at 43.6" per year compared to 43.4" in Gardner.