City vs city
Memphis, TN vs San Jose, CA
- Rent is 126% lower in Memphis (median $1,181/mo vs $2,669/mo in San Jose).
- Homes cost 630% less in Memphis ($169k vs $1.2M median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $1,733 more a month after taxes and rent in Memphis.
- Memphis has no state income tax on wages; San Jose does.
- Schools rate higher in San Jose (4.3/10 vs 1.4/10).
- San Jose has less violent crime (5.1 vs 18.5 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- San Jose has milder winters (51°F vs 42°F average).
- San Jose gets more sun (257 vs 210 sunny days a year).
| Memphis | San Jose | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,181/mo | $2,669/mo |
| Median home value | $169k | $1.23M |
| Median household income | $52k | $146k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,952 | $2,219 |
| State income tax on wages | None | Yes |
| School rating | 1.4/10 | 4.3/10 |
| Violent crime | 5.1× the US rate | 1.4× the US rate |
| Summer average | 92°F | 81°F |
| Winter average | 42°F | 51°F |
| Sunny days a year | 210 | 257 |
| Walk score | 36 | 52 |
| Population | 618,980 | 990,138 |
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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