City cost comparison
Memphis vs Nashville
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Memphis, TN against Nashville, TN.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $554 | $862 | +36% cheaper in Memphis |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $970 | $1,254 | +23% cheaper in Memphis |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $542 | $614 | +12% cheaper in Memphis |
| FoodPer child / month | $295 | $348 | +15% cheaper in Memphis |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $70 | $86 | +19% cheaper in Memphis |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.