Question 1

Is Los Angeles or Memphis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,546/month less than in Los Angeles, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,903/mo in Los Angeles versus $1,274/mo in Memphis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Los Angeles vs Memphis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $105,000/year before tax in Los Angeles, CA and $65,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $39,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Los Angeles 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 $12,135/month in Los Angeles and $8,376/month in Memphis, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Los Angeles 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	Los Angeles49	Memphis53
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,329	$3,783
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,135	$8,376
Salary for comfort	$105,000/yr	$65,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$1,274
Median home value	$879,500	$157,100
Median household income	$80,366	$51,211
Unemployment	5.3%	5.6%
Housing score	1	65
Jobs score	20	14
Safety score	47	4
Climate score	100	100
Amenities score	100	47
Population	3.9M	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	83° / 48°	92° / 33°

Los Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TN