Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Rochester?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Rochester?

Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Memphis vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,110 in Memphis, TN versus $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,211 in Memphis, TN and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 42% higher in Rochester, MN. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Memphis, TN

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,080

+23% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$948

$1,106

+17% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,243

+16% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,281

$1,646

+28% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$157,100

$287,500

+83% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$51,211

$87,767

+71% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,890

$60,620

+29% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

36.4 yr

+2.1 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

46.0%

65.4%

+19.4 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.2%

50.1%

+21.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

21.3 min

17.2 min

+4.1 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

2,507.6

158.9

+94% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

6,966.3

1,379

+80% 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

63.1°F

45.4°F

+17.7°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

33.0 in

+20.7 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.95/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Minnesota.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.5

16.9

+17% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.83

$14.95

+11% in Memphis, TN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Memphis, TN

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (TN / MN)

6.875%

+0.1 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

None

9.85%

+9.8 pp in MN

Memphis vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Rochester?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Memphis than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Rochester?: Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).