Can I Afford to Live in Memphis vs Phoenix on $50K?

Here's how a $50K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Memphis, TN
$3,160/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (35% of take-home)
Manageable
Phoenix, AZ
$3,056/mo take-home
Rent: $1,500/mo (49% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Memphis
TN
Phoenix
AZ
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,160Best ✓
$3,056
1BR rent
$1,100Best ✓
$1,500
Groceries (est.)
$357Best ✓
$369
Transport (est.)
$55Best ✓
$64
Utilities
$170Best ✓
$210
Internet
$55Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$1,423/month
$853/month
Memphis (Tennessee) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Phoenix (AZ rate: 2.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $50K a good salary in Memphis?

At $50K/year in Memphis, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,160. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 35% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $50K a good salary in Phoenix?

At $50K/year in Phoenix, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,056. With 1BR rent around $1,500/month, rent takes up 49% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $50K salary?

Memphis leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,423/month vs $853/month in Phoenix.

Can I afford to live alone in Memphis on $50K?

Yes. At $50K in Memphis, rent takes 35% of your take-home, leaving $1,423/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Memphis vs Phoenix

$40K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only