Home › Compare › San Jose, CA vs Memphis, TN

Cost of Living: San Jose, 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.

42.7% Memphis, TN is cheaper overall
67.4% 67.4% cheaper housing
17.9% 17.9% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 67.4% cheaper
San Jose
215
Memphis
70
🛒 Groceries 17.9% cheaper
San Jose
112
Memphis
92
🚗 Transportation 20.0% cheaper
San Jose
120
Memphis
96
🏥 Healthcare 22.4% cheaper
San Jose
116
Memphis
90
⚡ Utilities 10.9% cheaper
San Jose
110
Memphis
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Jose, CA Memphis, TN Difference
Overall Cost Index1508642.7% less
Housing2157067.4% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,800$95066.1% less
Median Home Price$1,350,000$165,00087.8% less
Groceries1129217.9% less
Transportation1209620.0% less
Healthcare1169022.4% less
Utilities1109810.9% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Jose, 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 Jose, CA
$140,000
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 Jose lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Jose (150) vs Memphis (86). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Jose3.5%
Memphis4.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Jose3.5%
Memphis1.9%
Top Industries
San JoseTech, Hardware, SaaS
MemphisLogistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Jose29 min
Memphis24 min
Walk Score
San Jose50
Memphis34
Air Quality (AQI)
San Jose40
Memphis44
Avg Temperature
San Jose60°F
Memphis63°F
Population
San Jose983,489
Memphis633,104

Moving from San Jose to Memphis?

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose 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 67.4%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Jose vs Memphis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,800/month in San Jose and $950/month in Memphis — a difference of about $1,850 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Jose 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 Jose to Memphis?+
Median household income in San Jose is $140,000 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 Jose vs Memphis?+
The median home price in San Jose is $1,350,000 versus $165,000 in Memphis — a difference of $1,185,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Tennessee averages 0.56%.