Living in Memphis, United States
Memphis is one of the United States destinations covered by GoWira's fiscal and lifestyle database, refreshed quarterly. A one-bedroom apartment in the Memphis city center rents for around $1,800/month, while the same layout in the suburbs averages $1,200/month — a typical center-vs-suburbs gap for a city this size. Everyday expenses run about $370 for groceries (single person) and $71 for a monthly public transport pass. On our cost-of-living index (100 = highest benchmark city), Memphis scores 82, which makes it one of the more expensive cities in the region.
If you're planning a move, a realistic first-year budget in Memphis starts at roughly $2,241/month for a single person in a central studio, before taxes, insurance or discretionary spending. Dining tends to cost $29 for a mid-range meal and $2 for a coffee at a local café, with a beer at a bar around $5. Owning a car adds approximately $500/month between fuel, parking and insurance — many residents in Memphis skip this in favour of public transport or the $71/month pass mentioned above.
Healthcare, schools and essentials
Private health insurance for a single expat in Memphis costs around $79/month, with a family plan at $240. An out-of-pocket private GP visit runs about $66, while specialists charge around $120. Families should budget $1,600/month for international schooling, or $850/month for a local private school.
Who does Memphis suit best?
Memphis works especially well for mid-career remote workers who want a Western European base without London or Paris prices, digital nomads — a hot desk here costs around $260.
All figures are medians (p50), reviewed quarterly. Hit the calculator below for a number tailored to your salary and residency situation.