Quick answer
🔴 Not comfortably on a single income. A hair stylist in Memphis earns roughly $29,085/yr (~$1,947/mo take-home) and a 1BR costs $980/mo — that's 50% of take-home on rent. The standard is 30% or less.
TN · 2026
Can a Hair Stylist Afford to Live in Memphis?
Using local salary estimates and Memphis's actual cost of living — rent, taxes, utilities, and groceries — here's the real monthly picture for a hair stylist in Memphis, TN in 2026.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Gross monthly salary
$29,085/yr local estimate
$2,424
Taxes (federal + state + FICA)
None state income tax
-$477
Monthly take-home
After all taxes
$1,947
1BR rent
50% of take-home
-$980
Utilities
Electric, gas, internet avg
-$150
Groceries
Single-person estimate
-$325
Transport
Car or transit average
-$350
Left for everything else
Dining, clothing, fun, savings
$142
At a 40% savings rate on discretionary income, a hair stylist in Memphis could save roughly $684/year after covering all essentials.
What Does 50% Rent Burden Mean?
The standard rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At 50% of take-home pay, a hair stylist in Memphis is in difficult territory. Most financial advisors recommend finding a roommate, considering a cheaper area, or targeting salary growth before renting solo here.
No state income tax in TN meaningfully helps. A hair stylist earning $29,085/yr saves roughly $1,309/year compared to a 4.5% state income tax state — that's equivalent to one month of rent.
These numbers use a local salary estimate of $29,085/yr — adjusted from the national Hair Stylist median of $35,470/yr based on Memphis's cost of living index. Actual salaries vary by employer, experience, and specialization.
Best Neighborhoods in Memphis for a Hair Stylist
Based on walkability, rent levels, and quality of life — not just lowest price.
Midtown (Overton Park area)
Arts, independent restaurants, Overton Park, Cooper-Young adjacent, most livable; 1BR $950–1,300
Cooper-Young
Walkable, best bars and restaurants, eclectic shops, younger crowd; 1BR $1,000–1,400
Central Gardens
Beautiful historic homes, safe, walkable from Cooper-Young; 1BR $1,000–1,400
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Hair Stylist in Memphis?
A Hair Stylist in Memphis earns approximately $29,085 per year, based on the national BLS median of $35,470/yr adjusted for Memphis's cost of living. Actual pay varies by employer, experience, and specialization.
Is Memphis affordable for a hair stylist in 2026?
Not comfortably as a solo renter. Rent takes 50% of take-home pay. A roommate arrangement would make Memphis more feasible on a hair stylist salary.
How much take-home pay does a Hair Stylist get in Memphis?
After federal taxes, no state income tax, and FICA, a Hair Stylist earning $29,085/yr takes home roughly $1,947/month in Memphis.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a Hair Stylist in Memphis?
A 1-bedroom apartment in Memphis costs a median of $980/month. On a Hair Stylist salary, that's 50% of monthly take-home pay. Financial experts recommend keeping this below 30%.