Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Columbus, OH's $1,250, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Memphis?

Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,250/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 $1,250 in Columbus, OH versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 22% higher in Columbus, OH. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Columbus, OH

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$877

+14% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$948

+10% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$1,073

+16% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,281

+6% in Columbus, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$157,100

+33% in Columbus, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$51,211

+22% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$46,890

+9% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

34.3 yr

+1.3 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

44.3%

46.0%

+1.7 pp in Memphis, TN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

28.2%

+10.0 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

21.3 min

+0.5 min in Columbus, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

484.8

2,507.5

+417% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

3,092.7

6,965.8

+125% 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

52.7°F

63.1°F

+10.4°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

53.7 in

+13.6 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.56/gal

$4.35/gal

+5% in Columbus, OH

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.75

+13% in Columbus, OH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.8

15.1

+20% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.75

$15.54

+13% in Memphis, TN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.16

+1% in Memphis, TN

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$1.73

+3% in Columbus, OH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$6.56

+6% in Columbus, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$1.90

+12% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.61

+3% in Columbus, OH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / TN)

5.75%

+1.3 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Columbus vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Columbus, OH's $1,250, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Memphis?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).