Home › Compare › Oklahoma City, OK vs Memphis, TN

Cost of Living: Oklahoma City, OK 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.

2.3% Memphis, TN is cheaper overall
7.9% 7.9% cheaper housing
1.1% 1.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 7.9% cheaper
Oklahoma City
76
Memphis
70
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Oklahoma City
93
Memphis
92
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Oklahoma City
96
Memphis
96
🏥 Healthcare 2.2% cheaper
Oklahoma City
92
Memphis
90
⚡ Utilities ~Same
Oklahoma City
100
Memphis
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category Oklahoma City, OK Memphis, TN Difference
Overall Cost Index88862.3% less
Housing76707.9% less
Median 1BR Rent$950$950~Same
Median Home Price$210,000$165,00021.4% less
Groceries9392~Same
Transportation9696~Same
Healthcare92902.2% less
Utilities10098~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Oklahoma City, OK Memphis, TN
State Income Tax4.75%None (0%)
State Sales Tax4.50%7.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.85%0.56%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Oklahoma City, OK
$58,000
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 Oklahoma City lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Oklahoma City (88) vs Memphis (86). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City3.5%
Memphis4.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Oklahoma City2.4%
Memphis1.9%
Top Industries
Oklahoma CityEnergy, Aerospace, Agriculture
MemphisLogistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Oklahoma City22 min
Memphis24 min
Walk Score
Oklahoma City32
Memphis34
Air Quality (AQI)
Oklahoma City44
Memphis44
Avg Temperature
Oklahoma City60°F
Memphis63°F
Population
Oklahoma City681,054
Memphis633,104

Moving from Oklahoma City to Memphis?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Oklahoma City 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

Oklahoma City vs Austin → Oklahoma City vs Denver → Oklahoma City vs Nashville → Memphis vs Raleigh → Memphis vs Portland → Memphis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oklahoma City 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 7.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Oklahoma City vs Memphis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $950/month in Oklahoma City and $950/month in Memphis — a difference of about $0 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Oklahoma City or Memphis?+
Oklahoma has a state income tax of 4.75% and sales tax of 4.50%. 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 Oklahoma City to Memphis?+
Median household income in Oklahoma City is $58,000 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 Oklahoma City vs Memphis?+
The median home price in Oklahoma City is $210,000 versus $165,000 in Memphis — a difference of $45,000. Property tax rates also differ: Oklahoma averages 0.85% while Tennessee averages 0.56%.