Route comparison
Atlanta, GA vs Memphis, TN: Cost of Living
Compare the cost of living between Atlanta, GA and Memphis, TN. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.
Atlanta, GA
GA
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 98.8
- Housing RPP
- 107.4
- Goods RPP
- 99.3
- 2-BR median rent
- $1,844/mo
Georgia income tax 5.49% flat. No city income tax.
Memphis, TN
TN
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 91.8
- Housing RPP
- 76.6
- Goods RPP
- 94.3
- 2-BR median rent
- $1,298/mo
Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.
Equivalent salary
Memphis, TN is cheaper than Atlanta, GA by about 7.1% (RPP 98.8 to 91.8).
$60,000 in Atlanta, GA
-> $55,749
in Memphis, TN
$100,000 in Atlanta, GA
-> $92,915
in Memphis, TN
$150,000 in Atlanta, GA
-> $139,372
in Memphis, TN
This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.
Migration signal: Atlanta, GA vs Memphis, TN
IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022Atlanta, GA
- Net people
- +17,865
- Net rank
- #10 of 65
- Top origin share
- 1%
- Top destination share
- 2%
Largest source: Hall County, GA. Largest destination: Hall County, GA.
Memphis, TN
- Net people
- −4,235
- Net rank
- #41 of 65
- Top origin share
- 1%
- Top destination share
- 2%
Largest source: Davidson County, TN. Largest destination: Davidson County, TN.
Rent delta: Memphis, TN is $546/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Atlanta, GA. Housing RPP moves from 107.4 to 76.6.
Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Memphis, TN cheaper or more expensive than Atlanta, GA?
- Memphis, TN (RPP 91.8) is cheaper than Atlanta, GA (RPP 98.8) by about 7.1%.
- What salary do I need in Memphis, TN if I earn $100,000 in Atlanta, GA?
- You would need approximately $92,915 in Memphis, TN to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Atlanta, GA. Formula: $100,000 x (91.8 / 98.8).
- Which metro had stronger net migration, Atlanta, GA or Memphis, TN?
- For 2021-2022, Atlanta, GA had a net gain of 17,865 people, while Memphis, TN had a net loss of 4,235 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.