Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Memphis?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Memphis?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,740/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,740 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 38% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$877

+47% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$948

+40% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,073

+37% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,281

+18% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$157,100

+63% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$51,211

+38% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$46,890

+8% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

34.3 yr

+0.3 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

46.3%

46.0%

+0.3 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

28.2%

+30.2 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

21.3 min

+5.5 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.5

2,507.5

+315% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

3,548.3

6,965.8

+96% in Memphis, TN

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

63.1°F

+0.5°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

53.7 in

+4.0 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$4.35/gal

+1% in Memphis, TN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$1.75

+30% in Atlanta, GA

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

15.1

+0% in Memphis, TN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.41

$15.54

+16% in Atlanta, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.73

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / TN)

+3.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Atlanta, GA's $1,740, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Memphis?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).