Memphis, United States

Cost of Living in Memphis, United States

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Memphis costs approximately $2,231 per month for one person including rent. That is 38% above the $1,620 global median across the 340 cities in the Voyica Cost of Living Index 2026. Against its own region, where the median is $2,512, Memphis is cheaper than typical for United States & Canada. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,149 per month, or $1,067 outside the centre. Housing therefore accounts for about 48% of a single person's total monthly cost here. A family of four should budget around $4,204 per month excluding rent. Day to day, an inexpensive restaurant meal runs about $18.00 and a monthly transit pass $50. For anyone weighing a longer stay, median internet speed is 303 Mbps and Memphis scores 26/100 on safety (below average on safety). Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighbourhood, and exchange rates; figures come from crowd-sourced price data last refreshed June 2026. See the full Cost of Living Index →

Memphis is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,231 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,149 per month, or $1,067 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Memphis scores 26/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 91°F and winter highs around 55°F, with roughly 229 sunny days a year.

Top for Live MusicLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$2,231≈ $74/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,149
Internet303 Mbps
Safety26/100
Avg Temp73°F

Memphis Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$18
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$75
McDonald's Combo Meal$12
Cappuccino$5.20
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$6.50
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.38

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$0.96
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.50
Eggs (12)$3.38
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.93
Apples (1 lb)$2.67
Bananas (1 lb)$0.79
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.21
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.55
Water (1.5L Bottle)$2.27
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$14.50
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$9.17

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1
Monthly Transit Pass$50
Taxi Start$2
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.20
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.73
VW Golf (New)$37,359

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$206.27
Mobile Phone Plan$104.40
Broadband Internet$72

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$28.32
Cinema Ticket$13.86
Preschool (Monthly)$1,705
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$27,240

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$40.99
Nike Running Shoes$76.60

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,148.89
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,066.67
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,471.38
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,460.62
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$155.86
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$129.91

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$3,417.95
Mortgage Interest Rate6.31%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$4,204
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,164.20

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Memphis

Internet303 Mbps
Safety26/100
Healthcare92/100
Public Transit15/100
Walkability32/100
Nightlife68/100
Food Scene88/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture30/100
Air Quality78/100
Green Spaces60/100
Culture90/100
Beaches5/100
Hiking18/100
Surfing5/100
Coworking Spaces28

How Memphis Ranks Among 340 Cities

Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Memphis ranks in the top 5% for healthcare, but sits in the bottom 2% for safety. It costs more than 74% of them.

MetricMemphisWorld rankRank in United States & Canada
Monthly cost$2,231#252 of 340#25 of 80
Safety26/100#335 of 340#79 of 80
Healthcare92/100#14 of 340#14 of 80
Internet speed303 Mbps#13 of 340#1 of 80
Walkability32/100#296 of 340#64 of 80
Public transit15/100#278 of 340#60 of 80
Food scene88/100#40 of 340#6 of 80
Air quality78/100#214 of 340#62 of 80

Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.

Cheaper Alternatives to Memphis

Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Memphis.

Memphis FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Memphis?

A single person should budget around $2,231 per month in Memphis, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,204 per month excluding rent.

How much is rent in Memphis?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Memphis averages $1,149 per month, dropping to about $1,067 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,471.

Is Memphis safe?

Memphis scores 26/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 42/100.

How fast is the internet in Memphis?

Median download speeds in Memphis are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 28 coworking spaces in the city.

Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?

United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.

What is the weather like in Memphis?

Memphis sees summer highs around 91°F and winter highs near 55°F, with about 229 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 94 days.

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