Question 1

Is Memphis or Tucson cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $51/month less than in Tucson, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,274/mo in Memphis versus $1,402/mo in Tucson.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Memphis vs Tucson?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $60,500/year before tax in Memphis, TN and $63,000/year in Tucson, AZ — a difference of about $2,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Memphis or Tucson 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 $7,069/month in Tucson, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Memphis or Tucson?

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	Tucson67
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,530	$3,581
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$6,533	$7,069
Salary for comfort	$60,500/yr	$63,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,274	$1,402
Median home value	$157,100	$242,200
Median household income	$51,211	$54,546
Unemployment	4.7%	4.8%
Housing score	68	46
Jobs score	31	12
Safety score	4	91
Climate score	100	86
Amenities score	47	58
Population	629.1K	543.3K
Summer high / winter low	90° / 30°	99° / 42°

Memphis, TN vs Tucson, AZ