Question 1

Is Arlington or Memphis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $581/month less than in Arlington, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,723/mo in Arlington versus $1,274/mo in Memphis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Arlington vs Memphis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $72,000/year before tax in Arlington, TX and $60,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $11,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Arlington or Memphis cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, the same answer as for a single person. A four-person household runs about $7,857/month in Arlington and $6,533/month in Memphis, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Arlington 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	Arlington73	Memphis57
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,111	$3,530
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$7,857	$6,533
Salary for comfort	$72,000/yr	$60,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,723	$1,274
Median home value	$276,400	$157,100
Median household income	$73,519	$51,211
Unemployment	4.1%	4.7%
Housing score	60	68
Jobs score	58	31
Safety score	65	4
Climate score	96	100
Amenities score	73	47
Population	394.8K	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	94° / 35°	90° / 30°

Arlington, TX vs Memphis, TN