CostIndexUSA

Memphis, TN vs Tucson, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
AZ
Tucson
96.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Memphis is moderately cheaper than Tucson — 5.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Memphis, you would need $84,100 in Tucson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+15.0%
Memphis
79.8
Tucson
91.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Memphis
96.2
Tucson
96.2
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Memphis
100.1
Tucson
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+4.6%
Memphis
90.6
Tucson
94.8
Utilities+20.8%
Memphis
74.1
Tucson
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$84,100
$4,100 more needed in Tucson

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 92.2) = salary × 1.0510. 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×

Tucson, AZ

Median Home Price
$338,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
91.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Tucson has 15.0% higher housing costs compared to Memphis.

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

Tucson, AZ

Median Household Income
$69,800
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
542,629
Top Industries
MilitaryEducationHealthcareTourismManufacturing

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)

Tucson, AZ
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.