CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Memphis is moderately cheaper than Harrisburg — 6.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $74,700 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing17.1%
Harrisburg
96.3
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries4.5%
Harrisburg
100.7
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation2.4%
Harrisburg
102.6
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare2.4%
Harrisburg
92.8
Memphis
90.6
Utilities31.5%
Harrisburg
108.1
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$74,700
$5,300 less needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 0.9341. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Memphis, TN

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

Harrisburg has 17.1% lower housing costs compared to Memphis.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

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).

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.