06/22/2026
š Memphis MSA vs Colorado Springs CO MSA ā Cost of Living (2026)
Condensed ⢠2,000+ sq ft homes ⢠Generational Snapshot
šø Overall Cost of Living (2026)
Overall Cost Index:
Memphis: 86
Colorado Springs: 101
Colorado Springs is ~17.4% more expensive overall
OneāPerson Monthly Cost:
Memphis: $1,851
Colorado Springs: $2,451
+32% higher in Colorado Springs
Family Monthly Cost:
Memphis: $4,406
Colorado Springs: $5,354
Salary After Tax (monthly):
Memphis: $3,391
Colorado Springs: $4,146
š½ļø Daily Living Costs
Dinner for Two: MEM $64.9 ⢠COS $73.4
Groceries (monthly): MEM ~$564 ⢠COS ~$631 (6.5% higher)
Transportation (monthly): MEM $88 ⢠COS $108 (2.1% higher)
š” Housing ā 2,000+ sq ft Homes
Memphis Suburbs: Germantown ⢠Collierville ⢠Lakeland ⢠Bartlett ⢠Arlington
$425Kā$750K+
Suburban cost per m²: $1,396
Strong affordability + larger footprints
Colorado Springs Metro: Briargate ⢠Northgate ⢠Rockrimmon ⢠Black Forest
$750Kā$1.4M+
Suburban cost per m²: $2,382 (ā70% higher)
Bottom Line: Colorado Springs housing is 57.1% more expensive overall.
š„ Generational Lens
Baby Boomers: Memphis offers lower ownership + healthcare costs for longāterm budgeting.
Gen X: Memphis provides stronger value for 2,000+ sq ft homes in stable suburbs.
Millennials: Memphis offers a more attainable path into larger homes with room for future needs.
š¢ Major Memphis Employers (Public + Private)
FedEx World Headquarters
St. Jude Childrenās Research Hospital
International Paper
City of Memphis / Shelby County Government
šļø Military Installations (Regional)
NSA MidāSouth (Millington)
Tennessee Air National Guard ā 164th Airlift Wing
š Higher Education (Memphis Area)
University of Memphis
Rhodes College
Christian Brothers University
š„ Healthcare Systems (Memphis Area)
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
Baptist Memorial Health Care
Regional One Health
St. Jude Childrenās Research Hospital