Question 1

Is Dallas or Memphis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $657/month less than in Dallas, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,931/mo in Dallas versus $1,274/mo in Memphis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Dallas vs Memphis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $78,500/year before tax in Dallas, TX and $65,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $13,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Dallas 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 $10,268/month in Dallas and $8,376/month in Memphis, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Dallas 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	Dallas62	Memphis53
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,440	$3,783
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$10,268	$8,376
Salary for comfort	$78,500/yr	$65,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,931	$1,274
Median home value	$295,300	$157,100
Median household income	$67,760	$51,211
Unemployment	4.7%	5.6%
Housing score	41	65
Jobs score	49	14
Safety score	39	4
Climate score	92	100
Amenities score	78	47
Population	1.3M	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	96° / 37°	92° / 33°

Dallas, TX vs Memphis, TN