Quick answer
Memphis costs $315/month less overall ($1,455 vs $1,770/mo). Memphis also has lower state income tax (None vs 3.07%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Memphis vs Pittsburgh
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Memphis vs Pittsburgh at a Glance
| Metric | Memphis | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $980 ✓ | $1,580 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,220 ✓ | $1,580 |
| Median Home Price | $195K ✓ | $225K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $150 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $325 ✓ | $345 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,455 ✓ | $1,770 |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 63/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 28/100 | 52/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 3.07% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Memphis's 1BR averages $980/month vs $1,280 in Pittsburgh — a $300/month difference, or $3,600/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Memphis charges None state income tax vs 3.07% in Pittsburgh. On an $80K salary that's a $2,456/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $3,684 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Memphis are $195K vs $225K in Pittsburgh. At a 20% down payment, that's a $6,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Memphis utilities run $5 more per month than Pittsburgh. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Memphis, TN
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Memphis. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Memphis
Hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional ice storms, high annual rainfall
Pittsburgh
Four seasons; cold cloudy winters (one of the least sunny US cities), warm summers, beautiful fall
Job Market
Memphis top industries
Pittsburgh top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Memphis if…
- →You're a logistics / supply chain workers
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a musicians
- →You're a remote workers seeking extreme affordability
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Pittsburgh if…
- →You're a tech / robotics workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a academics
- →You're a value-seekers from coastal cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or Pittsburgh cheaper to live in?
Memphis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,455 in Memphis vs $1,770 in Pittsburgh — a $315/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Memphis or Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is more walkable with a Walk Score of 63/100 vs 36/100. Memphis is more car-dependent.
Memphis vs Pittsburgh: which has lower state income tax?
Memphis has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $2,456/year vs Pittsburgh (3.07%).
Is Memphis or Pittsburgh better for buying a home?
Memphis has lower median home prices at $195K vs $225K in Pittsburgh — a $30,000 difference on the median home.