Memphis vs El Paso

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Memphis vs El Paso

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Memphis has a housing index of 63 while El Paso sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Memphis costs $155,000 compared to $185,000 in El Paso, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in Memphis versus $1,000 in El Paso.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Memphis scores 93 while El Paso scores 95.

Healthcare costs in Memphis (92) are higher than El Paso (89).

Median household income in Memphis is $41,228 compared to $47,568 in El Paso. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Memphis vs El Paso

If you are considering a move between Memphis (index: 84) and El Paso (index: 85), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Memphis is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Memphis can afford $962/month, while the median household in El Paso can afford $1,110/month. With median homes at $155,000 in Memphis versus $185,000 in El Paso, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,000/month in Memphis and $1,000/month in El Paso, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Memphis where costs are 16% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Memphis (84) vs El Paso (85)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Memphis at 84 is 16% below the US average, while El Paso at 85 is 15% below average. Both cities are relatively affordable compared to the national average.

Memphis and El Paso land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (84 vs 85), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 63 versus 69, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Memphis and El Paso. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Memphis at 63 and El Paso at 69 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $155,000 and $185,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Memphis has an edge in housing and groceries, while El Paso is more affordable for healthcare. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,000/month in Memphis and $1,000/month in El Paso, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $30,000 difference in median home prices between Memphis and El Paso translates to roughly $1,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Amazon affiliate links