Question 1

Is Memphis or Mesa cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $652/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 $60,500/year before tax in Memphis, TN and $76,000/year in Mesa, AZ — a difference of about $15,500. 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. A four-person household runs about $6,533/month in Memphis and $7,730/month in Mesa, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

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	Memphis57	Mesa72
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,530	$4,182
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$6,533	$7,730
Salary for comfort	$60,500/yr	$76,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,274	$1,839
Median home value	$157,100	$364,300
Median household income	$51,211	$78,779
Unemployment	4.7%	4.0%
Housing score	68	49
Jobs score	31	37
Safety score	4	93
Climate score	100	74
Amenities score	47	92
Population	629.1K	507.5K
Summer high / winter low	90° / 30°	105° / 39°

Memphis, TN vs Mesa, AZ