City Comparison

Lynchburg vs Memphis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lynchburg

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$230,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,900
Median Income

Memphis

Tennessee
84
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$41,228
Median Income

The Verdict

3.6%

Living in Lynchburg costs 3.6% less than Memphis. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lynchburg, you would need $77,778 in Memphis.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
57
Lynchburg
63
Memphis
Groceries
94
Lynchburg
93
Memphis
Utilities
111
Lynchburg
88
Memphis
Transportation
88
Lynchburg
98
Memphis
Healthcare
105
Lynchburg
92
Memphis

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lynchburg has the same purchasing power as $77,778 in Memphis.

Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $72,321 in Lynchburg.

Living in Lynchburg vs Memphis

Housing Costs

Lynchburg's housing index of 57 is lower Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $155,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Lynchburg compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Lynchburg and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Lynchburg vs $442/month in Memphis. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Lynchburg and 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Lynchburg vs $352 in Memphis. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Lynchburg and 92 in Memphis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,900 in Lynchburg and $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,481 and $49,081 respectively. Lynchburg residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,351/month to housing in Lynchburg vs $962/month in Memphis. In Lynchburg, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lynchburg is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Lynchburg has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,778 in Memphis, based on the cost of living difference.
Lynchburg's housing index is 57 with median homes at $230,000, while Memphis's is 63 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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