Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Seattle?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Seattle?

Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Memphis vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,020/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 $2,020 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,211 in Memphis, TN and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 58% higher in Seattle, WA. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Memphis, TN

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,638

+87% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$948

$1,858

+96% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,073

$2,359

+120% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,281

$2,918

+128% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$157,100

$912,100

+481% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$51,211

$121,984

+138% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,890

$72,610

+55% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

35.5 yr

+1.2 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

46.0%

44.2%

+1.8 pp in Memphis, TN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.2%

67.5%

+39.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

21.3 min

26.6 min

+5.3 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

2,507.5

787.3

+69% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

6,965.8

5,107.9

+27% 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

53.5°F

+9.6°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

37.7 in

+16.0 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.35/gal

$5.77/gal

+33% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

$2.75

+57% in Seattle, WA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

14.4

+5% in Memphis, TN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.54

$17.32

+11% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Seattle, WA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (TN / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Memphis vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Seattle?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Memphis than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Seattle?: Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).