Median rent is 22% lower in Memphis ($1,181/mo vs $1,508/mo). Buying is cheaper in Memphis, where the median home runs $169,000 versus $392,800. Households earn more in Durham ($81,619 vs $51,736 a year). Taken together, Durham 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 Durham, NC.
City A
Durham, NC
City B
Memphis, TN
How much would you need to earn in Memphis, TN to maintain your standard of living from Durham, 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
Durham
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 $1,508/mo in Durham, a 22% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Durham: the median home is $392,800 versus $169,000 in Memphis — 57% 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.
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Memphis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Memphis has cleaner air on average: 19.0 AQI (Good) compared to 33.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Durham if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,619/yr).
Pick Memphis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,181/mo median).
Pick Memphis if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 19.0).
Is Durham cheaper than Memphis?
Durham 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 Durham.
How much is rent in Durham vs Memphis?
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,181/mo in Memphis, TN. Memphis, TN has the lower rent by about 22%.
Which has higher salaries — Durham or Memphis?
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $51,736 in Memphis, TN. Durham, 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?
Memphis, TN has better air quality on average: 19.0 AQI versus 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Durham or Memphis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Memphis to match my Durham income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Durham, 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
