PayCalculator

Memphis, TN Salary Calculator

What common salaries actually put in your pocket in Memphis after federal, state taxes and FICA. Based on 2026 brackets.

No state income tax

Take-home pay in Memphis — single filer, bi-weekly

Gross salary Net annual Per paycheck Per month Effective rate
$50,000 $42,214 $1,624 $3,518 15.6%
$75,000 $61,149 $2,352 $5,096 18.5%
$100,000 $78,736 $3,028 $6,561 21.3%
$150,000 $113,278 $4,357 $9,440 24.5%

Calculations use 2026 federal brackets, Tennessee state tax, and FICA. Assumes the standard deduction and no pre-tax 401(k) contributions. Married filers and those with retirement contributions will keep more.

Run custom numbers in the Tennessee calculator →

Cost of living in Memphis

Memphis's cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100). That means overall expenses in Memphis run about 15% lower the national average. A $75,000 paycheck in Memphis has roughly the same purchasing power as $88,235 in an average-cost US city — housing is usually the biggest driver of the gap.

Median household income here is approximately $49,256. After all taxes, the median single-filer household takes home roughly $41,616 per year.

No state or city income tax

Memphis residents pay no state income tax (because Tennessee has none) and no separate city income tax. You only pay federal tax and FICA — which is why take-home here runs meaningfully higher than in similar-salary jobs in California, New York, or Oregon.

About working in Memphis

FedEx World Hub at Memphis International is the world's busiest cargo airport, anchoring a massive logistics sector. Healthcare and St. Jude's research employment add stable wages. Memphis has the lowest COL of any major US metro (index 85 vs. national 100), making take-home pay stretch significantly further.

Largest employers

  • FedEx
  • Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
  • Baptist Memorial Health Care
  • Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital
  • International Paper

Where Memphis workers tend to live

  • Cooper-Young

    Walkable, food scene, mid-priced

  • Midtown

    Walkable, music venues, established

  • Germantown

    Suburban east, top schools, premium pricing

How Memphis compares to nearby cities

Net pay on a $75,000 salary — same filing status, same federal tax — differs because of state tax, city tax, and cost-of-living differences.

City Net pay ($75K) COL
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Frequently asked questions

What's the take-home pay on a $75,000 salary in Memphis? ▾
A $75,000 salary in Memphis, TN gives roughly $61,149 per year after federal tax, Tennessee state tax, and FICA — single filer, bi-weekly pay. That's about $2,352 per paycheck or $5,096 per month. Effective tax rate is approximately 18.5%.
What's the cost of living in Memphis compared to the US average? ▾
Memphis's cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), meaning overall expenses are about 15% lower the national average. Put differently: $75,000 in Memphis has roughly the same buying power as $88,235 in an average-cost US city. Housing usually drives most of the difference.
What's the median household income in Memphis? ▾
The median household income in Memphis is approximately $49,256 (US Census data). After federal, state, and FICA taxes, a single filer earning the median in Memphis takes home roughly $41,616 per year — effective tax rate of 15.5%.
Does Memphis have a city income tax? ▾
Memphis does not levy a separate city income tax — and Tennessee has no state income tax either, so you only pay federal tax and FICA. Workers in Memphis only pay federal tax, Tennessee state tax, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare).
How can I maximize take-home pay in Memphis? ▾
The same levers apply as anywhere in the US: max your pre-tax 401(k) (up to $23,500 in 2026), fund an HSA if you're on a high-deductible health plan ($4,300 individual / $8,550 family), and use commuter benefits if Memphis offers them. Every dollar you defer pre-tax avoids federal and FICA tax on that dollar — combined marginal savings typically 25–40% depending on your bracket.