Knoxville vs Memphis Cost of Living
Memphis is approximately 3.3% cheaper than Knoxville. See salary equivalence, taxes, and side-by-side breakdown.
Knoxville, TN
Memphis, TN
| Salary in Knoxville | Equivalent in Memphis | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $48,400 | -$1,600 (-3.2%) |
| $75,000 | $72,600 | -$2,400 (-3.2%) |
| $100,000 | $96,700 | -$3,300 (-3.3%) |
| $150,000 | $145,100 | -$4,900 (-3.3%) |
| $200,000 | $193,500 | -$6,500 (-3.3%) |
Knoxville vs Memphis: which is more affordable?
On an overall cost-of-living basis, Memphis is 3.3% cheaper than Knoxville. That means if you currently spend $5,000/month in Knoxville, you'd spend approximately $4,837 for the same lifestyle in Memphis. Or: $100,000 in Knoxville ≈ $96,739 in Memphis for equivalent purchasing power.
These multipliers are based on Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities and reflect average housing, food, transportation, and services costs. Real personal costs vary by neighborhood (urban core vs suburb), housing choice (rent vs own, apartment vs house), and lifestyle (frequency of dining out, car-dependent vs transit, etc.).
Tax differences
Both Tennessee and Tennessee have no state income tax — the move doesn't change your state tax burden.
What costs more (and less) in Memphis
Cost of living differences are driven mostly by housing — typically the biggest expense category. Memphis's housing index (0.50×) compared to Knoxville's (0.56×) is the dominant factor.
Food, groceries, and transportation typically vary 5–15% between metros — much less than housing. For a couple moving from Knoxville to Memphis, expect roughly:
- Rent / mortgage: -10% lower
- Groceries: -2% lower
- Transportation: -1% lower
- Healthcare, services: roughly proportional to overall index
Things this calculator can't fully capture
- Quality-of-life: weather, walkability, school quality, crime rates, commute times — not in the index.
- Career opportunities: a metro with higher cost-of-living often pays correspondingly higher salaries for the same role. See our salary calculator by job and city.
- Family situation: childcare, school district, eldercare costs vary independently of overall index.
- Lifestyle preferences: a frugal renter pays less than the index suggests; a property owner in a hot market might pay much more.
Related tools
Knoxville Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home in Knoxville. Memphis Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home in Memphis. Salary Calculator — hourly ↔ annual conversion. Inflation Calculator — purchasing power over time. Mortgage Calculator — what you can afford.