dayblip

Baltimore vs Memphis

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

Compare a different city:

VS

QUICK ANSWER

Memphis is 22% cheaper than Baltimore overall.Baltimore has a cost of living index of 107 vs Memphis at 83 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Baltimore costs 46% more.

Pierre
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Baltimore
MD
107
COLI index
VS
Memphis
TN
83
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryBaltimoreMemphisDifference
Overall COLI10783-22%
Housing13875-46%
Groceries105100-5%
Transport107100-7%
Healthcare104100-4%
Utilities115105-9%

Median 1BR Rent

Baltimore
$1,550/mo
Memphis
$1,050/mo

Median Home Price

Baltimore
$195,000
Memphis
$175,000

Median Household Income

Baltimore
$55,198
Memphis
$42,982

Share Your Result

Surprised by this number? Share it with friends and family

Frequently Asked Questions

Memphis is cheaper to live in overall. Baltimore has a cost of living index of 107 while Memphis has an index of 83, where 100 represents the US national average. Memphis is 22% cheaper than Baltimore overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Baltimore is $1,550 per month compared to $1,050 in Memphis. The median home price in Baltimore is $195,000 versus $175,000 in Memphis. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Baltimore has a cost of living index of 107 and Memphis has an index of 83, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Baltimore, multiply by 0.78. For example a $75,000 salary in Baltimore is equivalent to approximately $58,178 in Memphis.

Baltimore has a median household income of $55,198 per year versus $42,982 in Memphis. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Baltimore to Memphis is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Memphis is 22% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.