This tool benchmarks Memphis’s cost of living against the US average of 100. Memphis’s composite index is about 82, so a typical household spends roughly 18% less than the national norm — driven mostly by inexpensive housing.
How it works
Each spending category has an index relative to the US average and a budget weight. The composite is the weighted average, and salary conversion uses the ratio of indices:
composite = sum(category index x weight)
equivalent salary = your salary x (Memphis index / your city index)If your current city is pricier than Memphis, the equivalent Memphis salary is lower — the same lifestyle costs less here.
Example and notes
Someone earning $70,000 in a city at index 100 needs about $57,400 in Memphis ($70,000 x 82 / 100) for the same standard of living. The housing line carries the most weight, which is why a low housing index pulls the whole composite well below 100. Sales tax is a notable exception that runs high. Treat these figures as planning baselines and verify current rents and salaries for your move.