Question 1

Is Memphis or Wichita cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $16/month less than in Wichita, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,274/mo in Memphis versus $1,099/mo in Wichita.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Memphis vs Wichita?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $60,500/year before tax in Memphis, TN and $65,500/year in Wichita, KS — a difference of about $5,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Memphis or Wichita 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 $7,007/month in Wichita, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Memphis or Wichita?

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	Wichita60
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,530	$3,546
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$6,533	$7,007
Salary for comfort	$60,500/yr	$65,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,274	$1,099
Median home value	$157,100	$179,500
Median household income	$51,211	$63,072
Unemployment	4.7%	4.1%
Housing score	68	94
Jobs score	31	37
Safety score	4	6
Climate score	100	96
Amenities score	47	40
Population	629.1K	396.5K
Summer high / winter low	90° / 30°	92° / 22°

Memphis, TN vs Wichita, KS