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Cost of Living: Denver, CO vs Memphis, TN

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

23.2% Memphis, TN is cheaper overall
47.0% 47.0% cheaper housing
8.9% 8.9% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 47.0% cheaper
Denver
132
Memphis
70
🛒 Groceries 8.9% cheaper
Denver
101
Memphis
92
🚗 Transportation 8.6% cheaper
Denver
105
Memphis
96
🏥 Healthcare 13.5% cheaper
Denver
104
Memphis
90
⚡ Utilities 2.1% more
Denver
96
Memphis
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category Denver, CO Memphis, TN Difference
Overall Cost Index1128623.2% less
Housing1327047.0% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,620$95041.4% less
Median Home Price$540,000$165,00069.4% less
Groceries101928.9% less
Transportation105968.6% less
Healthcare1049013.5% less
Utilities96982.1% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Denver, CO Memphis, TN
State Income Tax4.40%None (0%)
State Sales Tax2.90%7.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.49%0.56%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Denver, CO
$82,000
Median household income
Memphis, TN
$48,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Memphis costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Memphis to maintain your Denver lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Denver (112) vs Memphis (86). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Denver3.5%
Memphis4.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Denver3.6%
Memphis1.9%
Top Industries
DenverTech, Aerospace, Energy
MemphisLogistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Denver27 min
Memphis24 min
Walk Score
Denver61
Memphis34
Air Quality (AQI)
Denver45
Memphis44
Avg Temperature
Denver51°F
Memphis63°F
Population
Denver713,252
Memphis633,104

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Denver and Memphis → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Memphis →

Compare Other Cities

Denver vs Austin → Denver vs Nashville → Denver vs Raleigh → Memphis vs Portland → Memphis vs Phoenix → Memphis vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver or Memphis cheaper to live in?+
Memphis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 47.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Denver vs Memphis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,620/month in Denver and $950/month in Memphis — a difference of about $670 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Denver or Memphis?+
Colorado has a state income tax of 4.40% and sales tax of 2.90%. Tennessee has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 7.00%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Denver to Memphis?+
Median household income in Denver is $82,000 compared to $48,000 in Memphis. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Denver vs Memphis?+
The median home price in Denver is $540,000 versus $165,000 in Memphis — a difference of $375,000. Property tax rates also differ: Colorado averages 0.49% while Tennessee averages 0.56%.