Memphis vs Warwick
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Memphis
Warwick
💡 The Verdict
Memphis is 28% cheaper than Warwick overall. A $75,000 salary in Memphis is equivalent to $103,571 in Warwick.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Memphis (left) vs Warwick (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Memphis versus Warwick. Differences shown from Memphis perspective.
| Item | Memphis | Warwick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $720/mo | $1,090/mo | $-370.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,000/mo | $1,570/mo | $-570.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,300/mo | $2,030/mo | $-730.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.40 | $3.04 | $-0.64 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.74 | $4.27 | $-0.53 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.05 | $3.76 | $-0.71 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.47 | $6.20 | $-0.73 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.29 | $3.47 | $-0.18 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13.90 | $17.11 | $-3.21 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Memphis has the same purchasing power as $103,571 in Warwick.
Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $54,310 in Memphis.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3526 difference is driven by Rhode Island having a higher state income tax rate. Tennessee details → · Rhode Island details →
Reading These Numbers: Memphis (84) vs Warwick (116)
Memphis at 84 is 16% below the US average, while Warwick at 116 is 16% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
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 $1,570/mo in Warwick, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,840.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $34,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $195,000.0 difference in median home prices between Memphis and Warwick 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: Memphis vs Warwick
Choosing between Memphis and Warwick 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.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Memphis and Warwick can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.