Medford, OR vs Salem, OR

Medford, OR and Salem, OR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Medford scores 108 while Salem scores 107 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Medford is $1,321/month compared to $1,323/month in Salem — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Medford has cheaper rent, Salem actually has lower median home values ($382,400 vs $387,000).

Median household income in Medford is $70,497 compared to $71,900 in Salem (-2%). Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Medford spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 22.1% in Salem.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.9°F vs 54.1°F). Salem receives more rainfall at 40.1" per year compared to 18.4" in Medford.