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Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX 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.

4.4% Memphis, TN is cheaper overall
14.6% 14.6% cheaper housing
0.0% 0.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 14.6% cheaper
San Antonio
82
Memphis
70
🛒 Groceries ~Same
San Antonio
92
Memphis
92
🚗 Transportation 2.1% more
San Antonio
94
Memphis
96
🏥 Healthcare 3.2% cheaper
San Antonio
93
Memphis
90
⚡ Utilities 3.0% cheaper
San Antonio
101
Memphis
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Memphis, TN Difference
Overall Cost Index90864.4% less
Housing827014.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$9509.5% less
Median Home Price$255,000$165,00035.3% less
Groceries9292~Same
Transportation94962.1% more
Healthcare93903.2% less
Utilities101983.0% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, TX Memphis, TN
State Income TaxNone (0%)None (0%)
State Sales Tax6.25%7.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.56%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Antonio, TX
$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 San Antonio lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Memphis (86). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Memphis4.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Memphis1.9%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
MemphisLogistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Memphis24 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Memphis34
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Memphis44
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Memphis63°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Memphis633,104

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Antonio 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

San Antonio vs Austin → San Antonio vs Denver → San Antonio vs Nashville → Memphis vs Raleigh → Memphis vs Portland → Memphis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio 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 14.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Memphis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $950/month in Memphis — a difference of about $100 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio or Memphis?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. 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 San Antonio to Memphis?+
Median household income in San Antonio 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 San Antonio vs Memphis?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 versus $165,000 in Memphis — a difference of $90,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Tennessee averages 0.56%.