Gresham vs Memphis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Gresham
Memphis
💡 The Verdict
Memphis is 33% cheaper than Gresham overall. A $75,000 salary in Gresham is equivalent to $50,400 in Memphis.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Gresham (left) vs Memphis (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Gresham versus Memphis. Differences shown from Gresham perspective.
| Item | Gresham | Memphis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $720/mo | +$350.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,360/mo | $1,000/mo | +$360.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,760/mo | $1,300/mo | +$460.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.92 | $2.40 | +$1.52 |
| Milk (gallon) | $5.19 | $3.74 | +$1.45 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.92 | $3.05 | +$0.87 |
| Coffee (latte) | $7.42 | $5.47 | +$1.95 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.82 | $3.29 | +$0.53 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20.49 | $13.90 | +$6.59 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $50,400 in Memphis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $111,607 in Gresham.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $6000 difference is driven by Oregon having a higher state income tax rate. Oregon details → · Tennessee details →
Reading These Numbers: Gresham (125) vs Memphis (84)
Gresham at 125 is 25% above the US average, while Memphis at 84 is 16% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Gresham, the composite index of 125 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 105, followed by groceries (131), utilities (128), transportation (126), and healthcare (132). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,360/mo in Gresham and $1,000/mo in Memphis, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,320.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $21,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $201,000.0 difference in median home prices between Gresham and Memphis translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Gresham vs Memphis
Choosing between Gresham and Memphis involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Gresham against Memphis, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.