CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Memphis is slightly cheaper than Cincinnati — 3.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $77,300 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing8.9%
Cincinnati
87.6
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
Cincinnati
93.8
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.8%
Cincinnati
104
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Cincinnati
94.1
Memphis
90.6
Utilities18.6%
Cincinnati
91
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$77,300
$2,700 less needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 0.9665. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Home Price
$296,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
87.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Memphis, TN

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

Cincinnati has 8.9% lower housing costs compared to Memphis.

Income & Job Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Household Income
$77,800
Per Capita Income
$44,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
309,317
Top Industries
FinanceManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnology

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).

Cincinnati, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.