Orlando vs Memphis: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Orlando, Florida compare to Memphis, Tennessee? 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 138% higher in Orlando compared to Memphis, while rent is 44% higher.
| Metric | Orlando, FL | Memphis, TN | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $332,700 | $139,600 | +138.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,509 | $1,050 | +43.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $66,292 | $48,090 | +37.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $40,253 | $31,060 | +29.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 9.5% | -26.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 307,738 | 630,027 | -51.2% |
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 — Orlando
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 — 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.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Orlando costs $332,700 compared to $139,600 in Memphis — a 138% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,509/mo in Orlando vs $1,050/mo in Memphis.
- Income: Median household income is $66,292 in Orlando and $48,090 in Memphis.
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).