Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Memphis?

Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Fresno vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Fresno

California

$1,370/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 $1,370 in Fresno, CA versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fresno, CA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno, CA and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 23% higher in Fresno, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Fresno, CA

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,072

$877

+18% in Fresno, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,042

$948

+9% in Fresno, CA

2 Bedroom

$1,293

$1,073

+17% in Fresno, CA

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,281

+24% in Fresno, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,500

$157,100

+55% in Fresno, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$66,804

$51,211

+23% in Fresno, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,910

$46,890

+0% in Fresno, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.3 yr

+1.9 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

49.7%

46.0%

+3.7 pp in Fresno, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.9%

28.2%

+3.3 pp in Memphis, TN

Avg Commute

22.3 min

21.3 min

+1.0 min in Fresno, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

741.9

2,507.5

+238% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

3,334.2

6,965.8

+109% 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

64.4°F

63.1°F

+1.3°F in Fresno, CA

Annual Precipitation

11.5 in

53.7 in

+42.2 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.91/gal

$4.35/gal

+26% in Fresno, CA

Area: California vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.25

$1.75

+40% in Memphis, TN

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.4

15.1

+55% in Fresno, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$15.54

+25% in Fresno, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Fresno, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Fresno, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Fresno, CA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Fresno, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Fresno, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Fresno, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / TN)

7.25%

+0.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

None

+13.3 pp in CA

Fresno vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fresno than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Fresno versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Memphis?: Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).