Memphis vs Long Beach: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Memphis, Tennessee compare to Long Beach, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Memphis is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 80% lower in Memphis compared to Long Beach, while rent is 38% lower. TN has no state income tax.
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Long Beach, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $139,600 | $709,700 | -80.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,050 | $1,698 | -38.2% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $48,090 | $78,995 | -39.1% |
| Per Capita Income | $31,060 | $39,589 | -21.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 13.3% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.5% | 8.7% | +10.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 630,027 | 462,293 | +36.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Memphis
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Long Beach
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Memphis costs $139,600 compared to $709,700 in Long Beach — a 80% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,050/mo in Memphis vs $1,698/mo in Long Beach.
- Income: Median household income is $48,090 in Memphis and $78,995 in Long Beach.
- Taxes: Tennessee has no state income tax, while California has a 13.3% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).