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Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA 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.

41.9% Memphis, TN is cheaper overall
66.7% 66.7% cheaper housing
20.0% 20.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 66.7% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Memphis
70
🛒 Groceries 20.0% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Memphis
92
🚗 Transportation 25.0% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Memphis
96
🏥 Healthcare 23.7% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Memphis
90
⚡ Utilities 9.3% cheaper
San Francisco
108
Memphis
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Memphis, TN Difference
Overall Cost Index1488641.9% less
Housing2107066.7% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$95068.3% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$165,00086.8% less
Groceries1159220.0% less
Transportation1289625.0% less
Healthcare1189023.7% less
Utilities108989.3% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, CA Memphis, TN
State Income Tax13.30% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax7.25%7.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.56%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Francisco, CA
$130,000
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 Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Memphis (86). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Memphis4.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Memphis1.9%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
MemphisLogistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Memphis24 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Memphis34
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Memphis44
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Memphis63°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
Memphis633,104

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Francisco 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 Francisco vs Austin → San Francisco vs Denver → San Francisco vs Nashville → Memphis vs Raleigh → Memphis vs Portland → Memphis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco 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 66.7%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Memphis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $950/month in Memphis — a difference of about $2,050 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco or Memphis?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Francisco to Memphis?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 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 Francisco vs Memphis?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $165,000 in Memphis — a difference of $1,085,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Tennessee averages 0.56%.