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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.1K/month more in San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $210.7K in San Diego, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from Memphis, TN-MS-AR area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 67.4%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$5,058
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$60.7K
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

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K
Cost Index:
167
(67% above avg)
Median Home:$980K

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!

San Diego, CA

The Golden State

1.4M
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Semi-arid Mediterranean

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขYear-round perfect weather
  • โ€ขMajor military presence
  • โ€ขBiotech hub

Major Industries

MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Memphis, TN vs San Diego, CA

Housing
โ†‘ 183.1%
Memphis, TN
$1,845
San Diego, CA
$5,223
Difference
$3,378
more
Transportation
โ†‘ 26.4%
Memphis, TN
$1,243
San Diego, CA
$1,571
Difference
$328
more
Other
โ†‘ 13.0%
Memphis, TN
$1,674
San Diego, CA
$1,892
Difference
$218
more
Groceries
โ†‘ 14.9%
Memphis, TN
$939
San Diego, CA
$1,079
Difference
$140
more
Healthcare
โ†‘ 21.2%
Memphis, TN
$527
San Diego, CA
$638
Difference
$112
more
All Utilities
โ†‘ 19.6%
Memphis, TN
$530
San Diego, CA
$634
Difference
$104
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,035
To$2,565
โ†‘ $1,530
1 Bed
From$1,125
To$2,755
โ†‘ $1,630
2 Bed
From$1,245
To$3,360
โ†‘ $2,115
3 Bed
From$1,645
To$4,475
โ†‘ $2,830
Memphis, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $940โ€“$1,730/mo

San Diego, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980โ€“$3,690/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
$11,037
Monthly in San Diego, CA
$4,279
Difference

Home Values

Memphis
San Diego
$129K
Median Value
$980K
โ†“ -2.8%
YoY Change
โ†“ -3%
โ†‘ +25.1%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +37.4%
$58K - $408K
Price Range
$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 660% more expensive than Memphis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†“ $10.6K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$886
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
7.1%
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

San Diego, CA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
California State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,530/month
$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Memphis, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%
Property Tax:0.7%

San Diego, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%
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
San Diego
55 Moderate
Air Quality
71 Moderate
34.4%
Good Air Days
12.8%
99 High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐Ÿซจ
Top Hazards
๐Ÿ”ฅ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.1ยฐF
54 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
1 days
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.1ยฐF
54 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
1 days

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

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