Quick answer
Wichita costs $15/month less overall ($1,440 vs $1,455/mo). But Memphis's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $4,560/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Memphis vs Wichita
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Memphis vs Wichita at a Glance
| Metric | Memphis | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $980 | $1,100 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,220 | $1,100 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $195K | $180K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $150 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $325 ✓ | $370 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,455 | $1,440 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| Transit Score | 28/100 ✓ | 21/100 |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 5.7% (top) |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Wichita's 1BR averages $900/month vs $980 in Memphis — a $80/month difference, or $960/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Memphis charges None state income tax vs 5.7% (top) in Wichita. On an $80K salary that's a $4,560/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,840 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Wichita are $180K vs $195K in Memphis. At a 20% down payment, that's a $3,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Wichita utilities run $20 more per month than Memphis.
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
Wichita, KS
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Wichita. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Memphis
Hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional ice storms, high annual rainfall
Wichita
Hot, dry summers; cold winters with occasional ice/snow; severe thunderstorm risk.
Job Market
Memphis top industries
Wichita 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
Move to Wichita if…
- →You're a Aerospace engineers and manufacturing professionals
- →You're a Anyone seeking extremely affordable living
- →You're a Industrial/chemical sector workers
- →You're a Retirees with modest budgets
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or Wichita cheaper to live in?
Wichita is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,440 in Wichita vs $1,455 in Memphis — a $15/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Memphis or Wichita?
Memphis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 36/100 vs 35/100. Wichita is more car-dependent.
Memphis vs Wichita: which has lower state income tax?
Memphis has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $4,560/year vs Wichita (5.7% (top)).
Is Memphis or Wichita better for buying a home?
Wichita has lower median home prices at $180K vs $195K in Memphis — a $15,000 difference on the median home.