Memphis vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison
Memphis
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$230,553
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in Memphis, you'd need:
$22,573
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $30,672 more per year in Memphis compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $2,712 more in taxes in San Francisco, while housing costs 183% more. The cost of living in Memphis is 23% below avg, while San Francisco is 100% above avg, making Memphis the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Memphis feels like earning $230,553 in San Francisco once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, San Francisco has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Memphis ($15,269 vs $17,920 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or San Francisco more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 77.3 (national average = 100).
What salary in San Francisco equals $70,000 in Memphis?
You would need to earn approximately $230,553 in San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $15,288 in Memphis and $43,248 in San Francisco—housing is 183% more in San Francisco.