Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Memphis, TN (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Memphis

Tennessee
68

San Francisco is 293% more expensive than Memphis.

$2,419/mo ↑ 115%
Median Rent
$1,123/mo ↓ 54%
$141,446/yr ↑ 176%
Median Income
$51,211/yr ↓ 64%
$1,380,500 ↑ 779%
Home Value
$157,100 ↓ 89%
$2,620/mo ↑ 141%
Owner Costs
$1,087/mo ↓ 59%
836,321
Population
629,063

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Memphis, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,296/month cheaper in Memphis, saving renters about $15,552/year.

Median household income is $90,235/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $157,100 in Memphis.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Memphis residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Memphis — common questions

Is San Francisco or Memphis cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Memphis is cheaper to live in with an index of 68 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Memphis?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Memphis it's $1,123/month — a difference of $1,296/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Memphis?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $51,211 in Memphis. Median household income is $90,235/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Tennessee?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Memphis?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Memphis has a cost index of 68 with rent of $1,123/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Memphis details →

More Comparisons

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