CostIndexUSA

Memphis, TN vs Spartanburg, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Spartanburg
91.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

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

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing14.8%
Memphis
79.8
Spartanburg
68
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Memphis
96.2
Spartanburg
96.3
🚗 Transportation+3.1%
Memphis
100.1
Spartanburg
103.2
🏥 Healthcare+3.1%
Memphis
90.6
Spartanburg
93.4
Utilities+19.2%
Memphis
74.1
Spartanburg
88.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Spartanburg, SC
$79,000
$1,000 less needed in Spartanburg

Formula: salary × (91.1 ÷ 92.2) = salary × 0.9881. 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×

Spartanburg, SC

Median Home Price
$272,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
68
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Memphis has 14.8% lower housing costs compared to Spartanburg.

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

Spartanburg, SC

Median Household Income
$61,200
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
38,732
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareAutomotiveEducationRetail

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)

Spartanburg, SC
3.6×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.