Medford, MA vs Winchester, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Medford is 15.6% cheaper than Winchester. With a cost index of 172 vs 204, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Medford to Winchester should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Medford is $2,477/month compared to $2,271/month in Winchester — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Winchester has cheaper rent, Medford actually has lower median home values ($715,500 vs $1,181,700).

Median household income in Medford is $118,089 compared to $218,176 in Winchester (-45.9%). While Winchester is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Medford spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, more than the 12.5% in Winchester.