Memphis vs New York
Cost of Living Comparison
Memphis
To match your lifestyle in New York, you'd need:
$164,761
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
New York
To match your lifestyle in Memphis, you'd need:
$29,551
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $22,877 more per year in Memphis compared to New York. You'd pay $3,245 more in taxes in New York, while housing costs 128% more. The cost of living in Memphis is 23% below avg, while New York is 50% above avg, making Memphis the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Memphis feels like earning $164,761 in New York once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, New York has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Memphis ($15,269 vs $19,246 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or New York more expensive?
New York is more expensive with a cost of living index of 149.7 vs 77.3 (national average = 100).
What salary in New York equals $70,000 in Memphis?
You would need to earn approximately $164,761 in New York to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Memphis, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Memphis vs New York?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $15,288 in Memphis and $34,920 in New York—housing is 128% more in New York.