Question 1

Is Albuquerque or Memphis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $29/month less than in Albuquerque, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,464/mo in Albuquerque versus $1,274/mo in Memphis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Albuquerque vs Memphis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $69,000/year before tax in Albuquerque, NM and $65,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $3,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Albuquerque or Memphis cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,075/month in Albuquerque and $8,376/month in Memphis, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Albuquerque or Memphis?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Memphis costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Albuquerque59	Memphis53
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,812	$3,783
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,075	$8,376
Salary for comfort	$69,000/yr	$65,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,464	$1,274
Median home value	$266,700	$157,100
Median household income	$65,604	$51,211
Unemployment	4.7%	5.6%
Housing score	59	65
Jobs score	25	14
Safety score	33	4
Climate score	100	100
Amenities score	40	47
Population	562.5K	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	90° / 26°	92° / 33°

Albuquerque, NM vs Memphis, TN