Question 1

Is Memphis or Mesa cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $610/month less than in Mesa, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,274/mo in Memphis versus $1,839/mo in Mesa.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Memphis vs Mesa?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $65,500/year before tax in Memphis, TN and $80,000/year in Mesa, AZ — a difference of about $14,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Memphis or Mesa 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 $8,376/month in Memphis and $10,307/month in Mesa, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Memphis or Mesa?

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	Memphis53	Mesa68
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,783	$4,393
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$8,376	$10,307
Salary for comfort	$65,500/yr	$80,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,274	$1,839
Median home value	$157,100	$364,300
Median household income	$51,211	$78,779
Unemployment	5.6%	4.8%
Housing score	65	47
Jobs score	14	20
Safety score	4	93
Climate score	100	72
Amenities score	47	92
Population	629.1K	507.5K
Summer high / winter low	92° / 33°	106° / 46°

Memphis, TN vs Mesa, AZ