⚖️ City Comparison

Memphis vs Ogden

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Memphis

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

Ogden

Utah
91
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,420/mo
Median Rent
$49,100
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

8% Cheaper

Memphis is 8% cheaper than Ogden overall. A $75,000 salary in Memphis is equivalent to $81,250 in Ogden.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Memphis (left) vs Ogden (right). National average = 100.

Housing
63
Housing
110
Groceries
93
Groceries
92
Utilities
88
Utilities
94
Transportation
98
Transportation
92
Healthcare
92
Healthcare
86

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Memphis versus Ogden. Differences shown from Memphis perspective.

ItemMemphisOgdenDifference
1-Bed Rent$720/mo$1,060/mo$-340.00
2-Bed Rent$1,000/mo$1,420/mo$-420.00
3-Bed Rent$1,300/mo$1,950/mo$-650.00
Bread (loaf)$2.40$2.70$-0.30
Milk (gallon)$3.74$3.25+$0.49
Eggs (dozen)$3.05$2.74+$0.31
Coffee (latte)$5.47$5.08+$0.39
Gas (gallon)$3.29$3.08+$0.21
Restaurant Meal$13.90$12.76+$1.14

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Memphis has the same purchasing power as $81,250 in Ogden.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $69,231 in Memphis.

💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison

Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.

$57,638
Memphis (Tennessee)
$54,112
Ogden (Utah)

The $3526 difference is driven by Utah having a higher state income tax rate. Tennessee details → · Utah details →

⚙️ Customize Your Comparison

Adjust category weights to match your spending priorities.

35%
20%
15%
15%
15%
Your Weighted Score
84 vs 91

Reading These Numbers: Memphis (84) vs Ogden (91)

Memphis at 84 is 16% below the US average, while Ogden at 91 is 9% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.

In Memphis, the composite index of 84 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 63, followed by groceries (93), utilities (88), transportation (98), and healthcare (92). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.

For renters: With median rents of $1,000/mo in Memphis and $1,420/mo in Ogden, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,040.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $25,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $170,000.0 difference in median home prices between Memphis and Ogden 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.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving Planners →Finance Books →Budget Planners →

Amazon affiliate links

Making Your Decision: Memphis vs Ogden

Choosing between Memphis and Ogden 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.

Long-term affordability in Memphis versus Ogden depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.