Question 1

Is Dallas or Memphis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $756/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 $76,000/year before tax in Dallas, TX and $60,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $15,500. 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. A four-person household runs about $8,133/month in Dallas 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 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	Dallas64	Memphis57
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,286	$3,530
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$8,133	$6,533
Salary for comfort	$76,000/yr	$60,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,931	$1,274
Median home value	$295,300	$157,100
Median household income	$67,760	$51,211
Unemployment	4.1%	4.7%
Housing score	43	68
Jobs score	55	31
Safety score	39	4
Climate score	92	100
Amenities score	78	47
Population	1.3M	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	96° / 37°	90° / 30°

Dallas, TX vs Memphis, TN