Salary Needed to Live in Memphis as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $63,390/year to live comfortably in Memphis, TN, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $63,390/year to live comfortably in Memphis, TN. The bare-minimum salary is $53,248/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,868.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,328/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,283/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$63,390
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$53,248
$4,437/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,328
25% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Memphis
| Expense | Memphis | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $1,004 | $1,641 | -39% |
| Groceries | $277 | $320 | -13% |
| Utilities | $200 | $225 | -11% |
| Transportation | $339 | $421 | -19% |
| Car Insurance | $149 | $223 | -33% |
| Health Insurance | $567 | $672 | -16% |
| Internet | $53 | $65 | -18% |
| Phone (x2) | $115 | $140 | -18% |
| Dining & Social | $369 | $450 | -18% |
| Entertainment | $148 | $180 | -18% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $107 | $130 | -18% |
| Total Monthly | $3,328 | $4,467 | -25% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,328
Target savings (12%):$540/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,868
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$63,390
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,004
1-2BR Apartment rent is 30% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus TN state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$540/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
82/100
Memphis is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $1,004/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $792/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $53,248/year as the survival floor and $63,390/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Memphis
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Memphis?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $63,390/year ($5,283/month gross) to live comfortably in Memphis with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Memphis?
A 1-2br apartment in Memphis costs approximately $1,004/month, which is the largest single expense at 30% of the total budget.
Is Memphis affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Memphis is 25% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).