CostIndexUSA

Memphis, TN vs Roanoke, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
VA
Roanoke
93.6
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Memphis is slightly cheaper than Roanoke — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Memphis, you would need $81,200 in Roanoke. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing1.6%
Memphis
79.8
Roanoke
78.5
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Memphis
96.2
Roanoke
96.8
🚗 Transportation+3.4%
Memphis
100.1
Roanoke
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.4%
Memphis
90.6
Roanoke
93.7
Utilities+20.0%
Memphis
74.1
Roanoke
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Roanoke, VA
$81,200
$1,200 more needed in Roanoke

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 92.2) = salary × 1.0152. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Memphis, TN

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

Roanoke, VA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Memphis has 1.6% lower housing costs compared to Roanoke.

Income & Job Market

Memphis, TN

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

Roanoke, VA

Median Household Income
$65,500
Per Capita Income
$37,300
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
99,394
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Roanoke, VA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.