Question 1

Is Columbus or Memphis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $197/month less than in Columbus, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,430/mo in Columbus versus $1,274/mo in Memphis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Columbus vs Memphis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $68,500/year before tax in Columbus, OH and $60,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $8,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Columbus or Memphis cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, the same answer as for a single person. A four-person household runs about $6,777/month in Columbus 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 Columbus 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	Columbus80	Memphis57
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,727	$3,530
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$6,777	$6,533
Salary for comfort	$68,500/yr	$60,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,430	$1,274
Median home value	$234,500	$157,100
Median household income	$65,327	$51,211
Unemployment	2.8%	4.7%
Housing score	71	68
Jobs score	82	31
Safety score	81	4
Climate score	88	100
Amenities score	56	47
Population	906.5K	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	86° / 19°	90° / 30°

Columbus, OH vs Memphis, TN