Gainesville FL vs Medford OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Medford
N/A
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Medford
N/A
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 59.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Medford
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Medford
$410,269
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $410,269 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Medford
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Medford
19.1%
Medford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Medford
10.4%
Medford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 33.0% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.1% | Medford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.4% | Medford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Medford
55.6°F
Medford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 55.6°F | Medford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 18.4 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Medford. Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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