Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 60% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Memphis?

Cambridge 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).

Cambridge vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/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 $2,810 in Cambridge, MA versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 60% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 60% higher in Cambridge, 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.

Cambridge, MA

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$2,236

$877

+61% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$2,496

$948

+62% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,980

$1,073

+64% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$3,325

$1,281

+61% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

$157,100

+85% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$126,469

$51,211

+60% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$46,890

+30% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

30.5 yr

34.3 yr

+3.8 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

33.7%

46.0%

+12.3 pp in Memphis, TN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

28.2%

+52.0 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

26.1 min

21.3 min

+4.8 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436.7

2,507.6

+474% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

2,657.6

6,966.3

+162% 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

$4.07/gal

$3.85/gal

+5% in Cambridge, 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)

29.6

14.1

+52% in Cambridge, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$19.75

+36% in Cambridge, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cambridge, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Cambridge, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Memphis, TN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Cambridge, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Cambridge, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cambridge, 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

Cambridge vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 60% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Memphis?: Cambridge 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).