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 $2,492/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 $122,000/year before tax in Los Angeles, CA and $60,500/year in Memphis, TN — a difference of about $61,500. 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. A four-person household runs about $11,266/month in Los Angeles 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 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 Angeles47	Memphis57
Est. monthly cost (single)	$6,022	$3,530
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$11,266	$6,533
Salary for comfort	$122,000/yr	$60,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$1,274
Median home value	$879,500	$157,100
Median household income	$80,366	$51,211
Unemployment	5.3%	4.7%
Housing score	2	68
Jobs score	25	31
Safety score	47	4
Climate score	100	100
Amenities score	100	47
Population	3.9M	629.1K
Summer high / winter low	89° / 47°	90° / 30°

Los Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TN