CostIndexUSA

Memphis, TN vs Saginaw, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Saginaw
90.9
overall index
$1,000/mo rent

Saginaw is slightly cheaper than Memphis — 1.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Memphis, you would need $78,900 in Saginaw. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing20.3%
Memphis
79.8
Saginaw
63.6
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Memphis
96.2
Saginaw
93.7
🚗 Transportation+4.4%
Memphis
100.1
Saginaw
104.5
🏥 Healthcare+4.4%
Memphis
90.6
Saginaw
94.6
Utilities+29.3%
Memphis
74.1
Saginaw
95.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Memphis to see what you'd need to earn in Saginaw to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Saginaw, MI
$78,900
$1,100 less needed in Saginaw

Formula: salary × (90.9 ÷ 92.2) = salary × 0.9859. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Saginaw, MI

Median Home Price
$160,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Housing Index
63.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Memphis has 20.3% lower housing costs compared to Saginaw.

Income & Job Market

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

Saginaw, MI

Median Household Income
$59,300
Per Capita Income
$33,800
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
Population
44,909
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Saginaw, MI
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.