Is Medford Expensive?

Boston, United States

-15% vs Boston avg

Living in Medford, Boston

Medford is a relatively affordable area in Boston, with a cost of living index of 70.0 — that is -15% compared to the Boston average. At #17 of 24, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,380/month, compared to a range of $2,016 in Roxbury to $3,640 in Back Bay.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Medford, housing takes up roughly 38% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $95,200 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Medford

Salaries in Medford reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 70.0:

After tax and deductions of 29.2% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $95,200 would be roughly $67,402/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

70.0
COLI Index
0.85x
vs City Avg
$2,380
Est. 1BR Rent
#17
of 24 Areas
29.2%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Medford

Estimated annual deductions on a $52,500 salary in Medford, Boston (local employee).

Income Tax
13%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MA)
9.0%
Total Deductions: 29.2%
Est. Take-Home: $37,156/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Medford would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $52,500
London GBP £45,181
Dubai AED AED 262,699

Other Neighborhoods in Boston

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Back Bay 107.1 1.30x +30%
Beacon Hill 105.5 1.28x +28%
Seaport 103.0 1.25x +25%
Cambridge (Kendall Sq) 98.9 1.20x +20%
South End 97.2 1.18x +18%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Boston →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in Medford, Boston to maintain your lifestyle.

Open Salary Converter

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Medford:

Walthamstow, London University District, Seattle Jurong East, Singapore Pasadena, Los Angeles Brookland, Washington DC Silver Spring (MD), Washington DC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medford expensive in Boston?

Medford is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Boston. It costs about -15% less than the city average, ranking #17 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Medford compare to the Boston average?

The cost of living in Medford is below the Boston average. With a multiplier of 0.85x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.