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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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You'd spend $5.5K/month more in Arlington, VA

$150.0K in your current city equals $215.4K in Arlington, VA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from Memphis, TN-MS-AR area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 72.7%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$5,450
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$65.4K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Memphis, TN

Population:633K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$129K

Arlington, VA

Population:239K
Cost Index:
173
(73% above avg)
Median Home:$556K

Memphis, TN

The Volunteer State

633K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Tennessee, this city has a population of 633K residents.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: Tennessee has no state income tax!

Arlington, VA

The Old Dominion State

239K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 239K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Memphis, TN vs Arlington, VA

Housing
โ†‘ 196.0%
Memphis, TN
$1,845
Arlington, VA
$5,461
Difference
$3,616
more
Transportation
โ†‘ 48.2%
Memphis, TN
$1,243
Arlington, VA
$1,842
Difference
$599
more
Groceries
โ†‘ 13.6%
Memphis, TN
$939
Arlington, VA
$1,067
Difference
$127
more
Other
โ†‘ 6.5%
Memphis, TN
$1,674
Arlington, VA
$1,783
Difference
$109
more
Healthcare
โ†‘ 18.6%
Memphis, TN
$527
Arlington, VA
$625
Difference
$98.00
more
All Utilities
โ†“ 5.2%
Memphis, TN
$530
Arlington, VA
$502
Difference
$27.75
less

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,035
To$1,578
โ†‘ $543
1 Bed
From$1,125
To$1,827
โ†‘ $702
2 Bed
From$1,245
To$2,325
โ†‘ $1,080
3 Bed
From$1,645
To$3,239
โ†‘ $1,594
Memphis, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $940โ€“$1,730/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,758
Monthly in Memphis, TN
$11,279
Monthly in Arlington, VA
$4,521
Difference

Home Values

Memphis
Arlington
$129K
Median Value
-
โ†“ -2.8%
YoY Change
-
โ†‘ +25.1%
5-Year Change
-
$58K - $408K
Price Range
-

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†“ $8.4K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$697
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
5.6%
Rate difference

Memphis, TN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Tennessee State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Arlington, VA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Virginia State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,718/month
$104.6K

Additional Tax Information

Memphis, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%
Property Tax:0.7%

Arlington, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Memphis
Arlington
55 Moderate
Air Quality
45 Good
34.4%
Good Air Days
63.7%
99 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐Ÿซจ
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ€๐ŸŒก
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
54 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
27 days
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
54 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
27 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Tennessee and Virginia on TaxTakeHome.com

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