Medford, OR Housing Market

Market Overview

Medford, OR presents a cautious real estate picture, with a PropertyIQ Score of 32 out of 100. That places the market on the weaker end of the scale. The score is shaped by home value momentum of 3.03% over 12 months but -1.31% over the most recent three months, a median days on market of 61 days, and a 19.7% share of listings with a price cut. Compared with Oregon benchmarks, Medford’s median home value of $436,355 is below the state average of $496,113, while its rent index of $1,838 is well above the state average of $1,450. Median household income is $71,443, below the state average of $80,426, but the unemployment rate matches the state at 5.2%.

The combination of lower home values and higher rents makes Medford a mixed affordability story. The median home value sits about 12% below the state benchmark, which may attract buyers looking for a relative discount. However, the local median household income is roughly 11% below the state benchmark, and rents are about 27% above the state average. This suggests that while home prices are not as high as Oregon overall, local incomes and rent costs create financial pressure for many households. The flat year-over-year home value change of $0 further signals that the market is not experiencing broad appreciation at the median.

Overall, the data positions Medford as a moderate-to-weak market with cooling price momentum, relatively slow turnover, and an affordability mismatch between local incomes and housing costs.

Key Trends

The first trend is cooling price momentum. The 12-month home value momentum of 3.03% indicates some positive movement over the past year, but the three-month figure of -1.31% shows a pullback. The median home value year over year is $0, reinforcing that annual change at the median is flat. This pattern points to a market where earlier gains have stalled or reversed in recent months.

The second trend is rising price cuts and longer marketing times. Median days on market is 61 days, and 19.7% of listings have a price cut. That means nearly one in five active listings has reduced its asking price. These are typical signs of a buyer-favoring or softening market rather than a highly competitive one.

The third trend is stretched affordability despite below-state home values. With a median home value of $436,355 and median household income of $71,443, the price-to-income ratio is about 6.1. That is similar to the state benchmark ratio of about 6.2 using the state averages of $496,113 and $80,426. However, Medford’s rent index of $1,838 is far above the state average of $1,450, meaning renters face a high cost relative to Oregon overall while local incomes are lower.

The fourth trend is inventory supply. Homes for sale total 1,206. The data does not provide a state inventory benchmark for comparison, but combined with 61 days on market, this level of active listings suggests enough supply to give buyers options and to contribute to slower price movement.

Who Is This Market For

Medford’s current profile may suit buy-and-hold investors more than short-term flippers. The rent index of $1,838 is well above the state average of $1,450, while the median home value of $436,355 is below the state average of $496,113. That relationship can support rental income relative to purchase price, though the PropertyIQ Score of 32 and negative three-month price momentum suggest limited near-term appreciation.

First-time buyers may find some relative value compared with Oregon’s statewide median home value, but affordability is still constrained. A median household income of $71,443 against a median home value of $436,355 leaves a significant gap, especially with rents at $1,838. Move-up buyers may face challenges selling in a market where homes sit for 61 days on average and nearly one in five listings has a price cut. Sellers looking for quick sales or premium pricing are likely to find this environment difficult. The market is less suited to buyers or investors who need fast appreciation or rapid resale.

Outlook

The near-term outlook for Medford is cautious. The three-month home value momentum of -1.31%, flat year-over-year median home value of $0, and 19.7% share of listings with price cuts point to continued softness in pricing. With median days on market at 61 days and 1,206 homes for sale, buyers are likely to retain negotiating power. The 12-month momentum of 3.03% suggests the market has not collapsed, but the recent trend is negative. Rent levels remain above the state average, which may support rental demand, but without population growth data, the longer-term demand picture cannot be assessed from the provided figures. Overall, the numbers support a stable-to-soft market with limited near-term appreciation.