San Diego, CA vs Memphis, TN

The cost of living difference between San Diego, CA and Memphis, TN is dramatic. Memphis is 122.1% cheaper than San Diego, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. San Diego has a cost index of 176 while Memphis sits at 79, 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 San Diego is $2,223/month compared to $1,123/month in Memphis — a 98% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Memphis is more affordable at $157,100 median vs $848,500.

Median household income in San Diego is $104,321 compared to $51,211 in Memphis (+103.7%). The higher salaries in San Diego partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of San Diego spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, less than the 26.3% in Memphis.