Memphis wins overall by ~22% (COL index)
Cost of living: Memphis vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Memphis buys roughly what $77,349 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$14,710/yr
Favoring Memphis for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,226/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~13 months and still keep ~$147/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Memphis Tennessee | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Wins | $1,500 | Memphis wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Memphis |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,900 | Memphis wins +$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Memphis |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $2,600 | Memphis wins +$1,200/mo | $14,400/yr saves in Memphis |
| Median home price | $200KWins | $360K | Memphis wins +$160K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 102 | Memphis wins +8 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $15 | Memphis wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Wins | $60 | Memphis wins +$12/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55Wins | $105 | Memphis wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Memphis |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.40 | Memphis wins +$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $190 | $165Wins | Chicago wins −$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Chicago |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $55Wins | $65 | Memphis wins +$10/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $42K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$25K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 4.9% | Memphis wins +4.9 pp | $2,940/yr saves in Memphis |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.8%Better | 10.3% | Memphis wins +0.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | Memphis wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Wins | $45 | Memphis wins +$15/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $7.00 | Memphis wins +$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 83Wins | 107 | Memphis wins +24 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 31 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +47 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,940/yr tax difference into cash back
Memphis fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Memphis.
High-yield savings
Park ~$9,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Memphis cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Memphis is 22% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (83 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Memphis vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Memphis is $1,100/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Memphis is cheaper by 42%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Memphis?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $96,687/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Memphis. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Memphis or Chicago?
Memphis has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.9%. Memphis has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Memphis to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Memphis offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Memphis ↔ Chicago
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