Median rent is 27% lower in Memphis ($1,181/mo vs $1,613/mo). Buying is cheaper in Memphis, where the median home runs $169,000 versus $613,700. Households earn more in Chapel Hill ($85,989 vs $51,736 a year). Taken together, Chapel Hill is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 91.9 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chapel Hill, NC.
City A
Chapel Hill, NC
City B
Memphis, TN
How much would you need to earn in Memphis, TN to maintain your standard of living from Chapel Hill, NC?
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$75,016
You'd need $16 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chapel Hill
North Carolina
Memphis
Tennessee
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Memphis — median rent of $1,181/mo versus $1,613/mo in Chapel Hill, a 27% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chapel Hill: the median home is $613,700 versus $169,000 in Memphis — 72% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chapel Hill
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Memphis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Memphis (avg AQI 19.0) but not yet for Chapel Hill.
Pick Chapel Hill if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,989/yr).
Pick Memphis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,181/mo median).
Is Chapel Hill cheaper than Memphis?
Chapel Hill is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 91.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Chapel Hill.
How much is rent in Chapel Hill vs Memphis?
Median rent is $1,613/mo in Chapel Hill, NC and $1,181/mo in Memphis, TN. Memphis, TN has the lower rent by about 27%.
Which has higher salaries — Chapel Hill or Memphis?
Median household income is $85,989 in Chapel Hill, NC and $51,736 in Memphis, TN. Chapel Hill, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chapel Hill or Memphis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Memphis to match my Chapel Hill income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chapel Hill, NC is equivalent to roughly $100,021 in Memphis, TN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
