Memphis, TX vs Surfside Beach, TX

The cost of living difference between Memphis, TX and Surfside Beach, TX is dramatic. Memphis is 42% cheaper than Surfside Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Memphis has a cost index of 58 while Surfside Beach sits at 100, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Memphis is $608/month compared to $1,292/month in Surfside Beach — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Memphis is more affordable at $74,700 median vs $310,700.

Median household income in Memphis is $46,567 compared to $96,250 in Surfside Beach (-51.6%). While Surfside Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Memphis spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16.1% in Surfside Beach.

Climate-wise, Surfside Beach is notably warmer with an average of 70.7°F compared to 59.2°F in Memphis. Surfside Beach receives more rainfall at 45.8" per year compared to 22.7" in Memphis.