Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Rutland?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Rutland?

Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Memphis vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,211 in Memphis, TN and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 7% higher in Rutland, VT. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Memphis, TN

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$877

$893

+2% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$948

$856

+10% in Memphis, TN

2 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,097

+2% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,281

$1,207

+6% in Memphis, TN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$157,100

$176,400

+12% in Rutland, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$51,211

$55,000

+7% in Rutland, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,890

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

48.5 yr

+14.2 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

46.0%

52.7%

+6.7 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.2%

32.2%

+4.0 pp in Rutland, VT

Avg Commute

21.3 min

14.7 min

+6.6 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

2,507.6

487.8

+81% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

6,966.3

3,973.3

+43% 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

44.6°F

+18.5°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

40.5 in

+13.2 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Rutland, VT

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

24.4

+74% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.75

$26.07

+32% in Rutland, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Memphis, TN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (TN / VT)

+1.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

None

8.75%

+8.8 pp in VT

Memphis vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Rutland?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Memphis than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Rutland?: Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).