CostIndexUSA

Greenville, SC vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

SC
Greenville
93.3
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Memphis is slightly cheaper than Greenville — 1.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Greenville, you would need $79,100 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+3.9%
Greenville
76.8
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Greenville
96.3
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Greenville
103.2
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.0%
Greenville
93.4
Memphis
90.6
Utilities16.6%
Greenville
88.8
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$79,100
$900 less needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 93.3) = salary × 0.9882. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Greenville, SC

Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Memphis, TN

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

Memphis has 3.9% higher housing costs compared to Greenville.

Income & Job Market

Greenville, SC

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
72,885
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyAutomotiveFinance

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).

Greenville, SC
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.