Question 1

Is Memphis or Sacramento cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,988/month less than in Sacramento, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,274/mo in Memphis versus $2,255/mo in Sacramento.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Memphis vs Sacramento?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $60,500/year before tax in Memphis, TN and $110,000/year in Sacramento, CA — a difference of about $49,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Memphis or Sacramento 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 $10,619/month in Sacramento, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Memphis or Sacramento?

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	Sacramento56
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,530	$5,518
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$6,533	$10,619
Salary for comfort	$60,500/yr	$110,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,274	$2,255
Median home value	$157,100	$484,600
Median household income	$51,211	$83,753
Unemployment	4.7%	4.3%
Housing score	68	26
Jobs score	31	34
Safety score	4	67
Climate score	100	98
Amenities score	47	83
Population	629.1K	524.8K
Summer high / winter low	90° / 30°	93° / 41°

Memphis, TN vs Sacramento, CA