2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Medford, OR vs Palm Desert, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palm Desert or is it cheaper to live in Medford?
- Palm Desert is 23.7% more expensive than Medford.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palm Desert or Medford?
- Palm Desert housing costs are 27.1% more expensive than Medford housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Medford or is Health Care more affordable in Palm Desert.
- Health related expenses are 17.1% less in Palm Desert.
 Medford, ORPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.2100
 Food & Groceries100.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock87.3100
 Housing123.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$539,000$338,100
 Utilities89  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.8100
 Miscellaneous116.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Medford    51 Reviews

Our family moved to Medford in early 2017 and we cannot wait to leave. Every summer since we arrived has been filled with oppressive and persistent smoke to the point  More

   |    Reply

My husband and I semi-retired here in 2014 after considering several around the same size in terms of population. We love the four seasons here as well as the gorgeous  More

   |    Reply

We have lived here for 12 years now and find it to be a great place to live. When I read a post that blames Trump for the homeless population and how, "things will be  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Medford

Reviews for Palm Desert    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert, CA is full of rude people. One woman in a long sleeved pink shirt is being extremely rude and mocking people for no reason at a neighborhood Walmart in Palm  More

   |    Reply

Palm Desert is clean, upscale and beautiful. The views of the Santa Rosa Mountains bright blue sky and green expanses of golf course fairways, swimming pools and  More

   |    Reply

I made the mistake of moving here after a short vacation to be closer to family. Biggest mistake of my life! This is not the place to live if health is important to you.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palm Desert


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.