salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.4 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.2 minutes each way. It is a highly educated city: 59.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $134,120 a year. That is $64 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 115 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Medford?
Share of households by yearly income. 51.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Medford
| Size | Medford | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,992 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,095 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,739 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,122 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,953 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Medford overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Medford, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Medford
Life in Medford
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Medford?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,889 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $755,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $75,550 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Medford, MA?
Renting in Medford costs a median of about $3,353 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Medford?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $134,120 a year, or $64 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Medford cheap or expensive?
Medford is rated OK: rent takes 28.8% of the typical household income of $139,709. It ranks 115th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Medford?
The median homeowner in Medford pays $6,286 a year in property taxes, about 0.83% of the median home value.
Is Medford more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Medford?
The median home value in Medford is $755,500, about 5.4 times the typical yearly household income.
59,354 people live in Medford. Numbers are typical (middle) values.