The Medford metro is home to 222,563 people (up 3.9% over five years), with a median household income of $71,443. Typical rent of $1,848/month works out to 31.0% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Medford's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 26.0% |
| Retail trade | 14.3% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 10.2% |
| Professional & management | 8.9% |
| Manufacturing | 7.6% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 31.0% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Medford market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,848/month suggests a household income around $74,000/year. The metro's median household income is $71,443.
By workforce share: Education & health care (26.0%), Retail trade (14.3%), Arts, food & hospitality (10.2%) (Census ACS 5-year).