Performance
Score Breakdown
Nashville
Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Memphis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
54% higher compared to Nashville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nashville's average rent is
82% higher than Memphis's.
| Metric | Nashville | Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,210 | +82% |
| Groceries | $300 | $400 | -25% |
| Utilities | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Transport | $400 | $120 | +233% |
| Healthcare | $135 | $120 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $3,235 | $2,100 | +54% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers 71% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nashville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nashville is estimated at
$76,000 vs $70,000 in Memphis.
| Metric | Nashville | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $76,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 78,571 idx | 50,562 idx |
| Household Income | $77,371 | $51,736 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nashville | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Memphis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Nashville.
Memphis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nashville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nashville | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 13.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 29.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 19.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Memphis.
From a growth perspective, Nashville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nashville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nashville | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 704,963 | 609,647 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | % |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $204.9B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville boasts a strong job market with a low unemployment rate of 2.7% as of May 2026, well below the national average.
The city's economy is highly diversified, with significant growth in healthcare, technology, and entertainment sectors.
Nashville is recognized as a fast-growing startup scene globally, with a strong entrepreneurial climate and a growth score of 68.2.
The city experiences significant population growth, with a projected annual rate of 0.76% for 2026, indicating continued dynamism.
Tourism is a major economic driver, generating substantial revenue and supporting numerous jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry [cite: 10, 38 in previous search].
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking as the 11th worst in the U.S. in 2024, leading to an average of 63 hours lost in traffic annually per driver.
Housing affordability remains a concern, with the average rent at $2,200 per month and median home prices around $475,000, which can be challenging for residents.
The city has low walkability and transit scores (29 and 13 respectively), indicating a high dependency on cars for daily commuting.
Nashville's overall crime rate is higher than the national average, although violent crime is often concentrated in specific areas.
While the city is a healthcare hub, specific quality rankings for healthcare were not readily available, and some healthcare hiring has cooled in the metro area [cite: 7 in previous search].
Memphis
Advantages
Memphis boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, particularly renowned for its rich musical heritage and diverse culinary offerings.
Utility rates in Memphis are among the lowest in the United States, contributing to overall affordability.
The rental market exhibits strong demand and low vacancy rates, indicating a stable environment for property owners and investors.
Memphis has seen significant reductions in overall and violent crime rates in 2025, with homicides declining by 26%.
Drawbacks
Memphis has experienced a consistent population decline in recent years, with a projected negative growth rate.
The city has a very high violent crime rate, significantly above the national average, despite recent reductions.
Despite low utility rates, a high energy burden disproportionately affects low-income households.
Memphis is a car-dependent city with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Tennessee, as a state, ranks low in overall healthcare quality, which may reflect on city-level access and outcomes.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Nashville
#20Tennessee, USA
73.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
13.0/10
Walkability
29.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
70
Business
78
Memphis
#96Tennessee, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
55
Business
62
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Nashville and Memphis.
Open Cost Calculator