Question 1

Is Denver or Memphis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $941/month less than in Denver, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,089/mo in Denver versus $1,274/mo in Memphis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Denver vs Memphis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $84,000/year before tax in Denver, CO and $60,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $23,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Denver or Memphis cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, the same answer as for a single person. A four-person household runs about $8,304/month in Denver 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 Denver 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	Denver57	Memphis57
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,471	$3,530
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$8,304	$6,533
Salary for comfort	$84,000/yr	$60,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,089	$1,274
Median home value	$586,700	$157,100
Median household income	$91,681	$51,211
Unemployment	3.8%	4.7%
Housing score	32	68
Jobs score	41	31
Safety score	35	4
Climate score	93	100
Amenities score	64	47
Population	713.7K	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	92° / 20°	90° / 30°

Denver, CO vs Memphis, TN