Cost of Living in Medford, MA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,126 (excluding rent), and $2,747 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,612 (excluding rent), and $5,348 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.78 $18.78

$14.82 $14.82

$39.53 $39.53

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.8 $98.8

$59.3 $59.3

$178 $178

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.30 $11.30

$9.94 $9.94

$15.07 $15.07

Cappuccino

$5.68 $5.68

$3.57 $3.57

$6.12 $6.12

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$1.95 $1.95

$3.43 $3.43

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.00 $1.00

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.90 $7.90

$3.95 $3.95

$7.90 $7.90

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.93 $8.93

$5.95 $5.95

$11.91 $11.91

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 $1.27

$0.78 $0.78

$2.22 $2.22

White Bread (500g)

$3.26 $3.26

$2.68 $2.68

$7.49 $7.49

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.94 $1.94

$11.66 $11.66

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$1.96 $1.96

$8.82 $8.82

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.82 $10.82

$4.03 $4.03

$33.32 $33.32

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.68 $9.68

$4.41 $4.41

$26.58 $26.58

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.48 $20.48

$15.35 $15.35

$35.13 $35.13

Apples (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$2.15 $2.15

$10.88 $10.88

Banana (1kg)

$2.10 $2.10

$0.85 $0.85

$6.51 $6.51

Oranges (1kg)

$5.75 $5.75

$2.73 $2.73

$17.47 $17.47

Tomato (1kg)

$5.89 $5.89

$2.19 $2.19

$13.27 $13.27

Potato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$1.99 $1.99

$8.22 $8.22

Onion (1kg)

$3.64 $3.64

$2.04 $2.04

$6.45 $6.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.77 $2.77

$1.98 $1.98

$4.95 $4.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.48 $1.48

$3.94 $3.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.96 $10.96

$10.46 $10.46

$16.94 $16.94

Wine (Bottle)

$13.66 $13.66

$9.87 $9.87

$24.67 $24.67

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.71 $1.71

$4.23 $4.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.49 $1.49

$8.95 $8.95

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$90.5 $90.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.59 $2.59

$3.98 $3.98

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.71 $1.71

$3.67 $3.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.95 $27.95

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$0.74 $0.74

$0.89 $0.89

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.9K $29.9K

$23.4K $23.4K

$36.2K $36.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.0K $25.0K

$23.9K $23.9K

$26.3K $26.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$193 $193

$132 $132

$396 $396

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$58.4 $58.4

$30.30 $30.30

$91.9 $91.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$45.84 $45.84

$81.5 $81.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.80 $42.80

$17.42 $17.42

$49.77 $49.77

Cinema Ticket

$14.68 $14.68

$11.94 $11.94

$19.90 $19.90

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,516 $1,516

$3,537 $3,537

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$27.3K $27.3K

$9,919 $9,919

$39.7K $39.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.9 $52.9

$40.30 $40.30

$121 $121

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.55 $32.55

$25.04 $25.04

$60.1 $60.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.7 $66.7

$45.30 $45.30

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.9 $83.9

$45.30 $45.30

$252 $252

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,584 $1,584

$1,186 $1,186

$1,836 $1,836

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,327 $1,327

$980 $980

$1,470 $1,470

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,654 $2,654

$2,018 $2,018

$3,027 $3,027

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,193 $2,193

$1,678 $1,678

$2,467 $2,467

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.43

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 3, 2026

Medford, MA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Medford, MA - Frequently Asked Questions

Medford sits in the Boston metro area, offering a balance between city access and quieter, more residential neighborhoods. For many travelers, expats, and digital nomads, Cost of Living in Medford, MA, United States sits at a comfortable middle ground compared with downtown Boston or the outer suburbs – less density and often better value, with easy access to public transit and services. You'll find a mix of classic houses and modern rentals, plus brick-and-mortar stores and eateries that support a walkable lifestyle. Plan with flexibility, because costs shift with seasons and demand. Tip: start with a neighborhood map and test a few weeks of routines before committing.

Day-to-day life in Medford blends suburb calm with easy city access. In housing terms, you'll see a mix of vintage homes, small apartment buildings, and some new complexes near transport hubs. Grocery options range from big chains to ethnic markets, and you'll find cafes that suit work sessions and casual meetings. Getting around is straightforward: MBTA buses and the Orange Line connect you to Boston, and many areas are walkable or bike-friendly. For work or study, libraries and coworking spaces offer reliable spaces with quiet corners. Medford, MA, United States living cost shows up most in rent and transit combos, depending on neighborhood. Tip: scout two bursts of errands on different days to gauge true costs.

Quality of life hinges on neighborhood feel, pace, and access to services. You can tailor budgets with a simple framework: prioritize housing and transit, allocate for groceries and utilities, then reserve for leisure. Seasonal shifts in Medford bring different activities – harvest markets in fall, outdoor concerts in summer, and cozy cafe corners in winter – so seek neighborhoods that match your preferred tempo. For a good fit, stroll West Medford for a calmer, leafy vibe or Medford Square for easy dining and services. Compare areas by walkability, transit access, and proximity to work or study hubs. Tip: start with two or three trial weeks across neighborhoods to test rhythm and costs.