CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Memphis is moderately cheaper than Atlanta — 7.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $73,700 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing28.1%
Atlanta
111
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries4.2%
Atlanta
100.4
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.4%
Atlanta
101.5
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare1.4%
Atlanta
91.9
Memphis
90.6
Utilities23.0%
Atlanta
96.2
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlanta to see what you'd need to earn in Memphis to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$73,700
$6,300 less needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 0.9211. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Atlanta has 28.1% lower housing costs compared to Memphis.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.