Question 1

Is Long Beach or Memphis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $2,479/month less than in Long Beach, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,903/mo in Long Beach versus $1,274/mo in Memphis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Long Beach vs Memphis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $121,500/year before tax in Long Beach, CA and $60,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $61,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Long Beach or Memphis cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, the same answer as for a single person. A four-person household runs about $11,302/month in Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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	Long Beach46	Memphis57
Est. monthly cost (single)	$6,009	$3,530
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$11,302	$6,533
Salary for comfort	$121,500/yr	$60,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$1,274
Median home value	$762,200	$157,100
Median household income	$83,969	$51,211
Unemployment	5.1%	4.7%
Housing score	5	68
Jobs score	27	31
Safety score	41	4
Climate score	100	100
Amenities score	91	47
Population	458.5K	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	82° / 46°	90° / 30°

Long Beach, CA vs Memphis, TN