Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 52% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Memphis?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Boston vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 52% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 46% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$877

+54% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$948

+52% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$1,073

+50% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,281

+43% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$157,100

+78% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$51,211

+46% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$46,890

+30% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

34.3 yr

+1.1 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

35.4%

46.0%

+10.6 pp in Memphis, TN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

28.2%

+25.9 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

21.3 min

+8.9 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

2,507.6

+298% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

2,030.8

6,966.3

+243% 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

51.5°F

63.1°F

+11.6°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

53.7 in

+9.9 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$3.94/gal

+0% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.8

14.5

+50% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.39

$16.83

+46% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Boston, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Memphis, TN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / TN)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

None

+9.0 pp in MA

Boston vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 52% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Memphis?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).