Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Tacoma?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Tacoma?

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

Memphis vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,211 in Memphis, TN and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 39% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,178

+34% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$948

$1,332

+41% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,693

+58% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,281

$2,094

+63% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$157,100

$454,600

+189% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$51,211

$83,857

+64% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,890

$72,610

+55% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

37.3 yr

+3.0 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

46.0%

56.5%

+10.5 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.2%

33.5%

+5.3 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

21.3 min

29.0 min

+7.7 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

2,507.6

1,064.4

+58% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

6,966.3

5,695.2

+18% 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

52.1°F

+11.0°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

43.0 in

+10.7 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.5

14.9

+3% in Tacoma, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.83

$20.41

+21% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Memphis, TN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Tacoma?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Memphis than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Tacoma?: Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).