City vs city
Chicago, IL vs Memphis, TN
- Rent is 22% lower in Memphis (median $1,181/mo vs $1,440/mo in Chicago).
- Homes cost 98% less in Memphis ($169k vs $334k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $557 more a month after taxes and rent in Memphis.
- Memphis has no state income tax on wages; Chicago does.
- Schools rate higher in Chicago (2.4/10 vs 1.4/10).
- Chicago has less violent crime (4.2 vs 18.5 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Memphis has milder winters (42°F vs 26°F average).
- Memphis gets more sun (210 vs 189 sunny days a year).
| Chicago | Memphis | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,440/mo | $1,181/mo |
| Median home value | $334k | $169k |
| Median household income | $78k | $52k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,395 | $3,952 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 2.4/10 | 1.4/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 5.1× the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 92°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 42°F |
| Sunny days a year | 189 | 210 |
| Walk score | 77 | 36 |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 618,980 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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