How Memphis take-home pay works
Your Memphis take-home pay is your gross salary minus federal income tax, Tennessee state income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). The calculator subtracts each in order and divides by your pay frequency to show net pay per paycheck.
Take-home = Gross − Federal − Tennessee State − FICA (7.65%)
Population: 628,000 city / 1,330,000 metro. Memphis is one of the largest US cities and has unique tax rules described below.
Tennessee state income tax
Tennessee has no state income tax — one of nine US states with no personal income tax.
For full Tennessee state tax details, deductions, and exemptions, see the Tennessee Paycheck Calculator.
Take-home pay at common Memphis salaries
Estimated annual net pay for a single filer in Memphis, including federal + state taxes and FICA. Use the calculator above for personalized figures.
| Gross | Annual Net | Bi-weekly | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading… | |||
Income vs cost of living in Memphis
Understanding your paycheck in Memphis means looking beyond the gross number — the cost of living here directly determines what your take-home pay actually buys.
| Median household income | $44,700/year |
| Median individual earnings | $29,100/year |
| Cost of living index | 79 (US avg = 100) |
| Average 1-bedroom rent | $870/month |
| Average 2-bedroom rent | $1,090/month |
Tax highlight
Memphis is one of the lowest cost-of-living major cities in the US (index ~79) with Tennessee's zero income tax. A Memphis logistics or healthcare worker earning $55,000 keeps more after-tax than a counterpart earning $65,000 in many taxed cities. FedEx offers competitive salaries ($45,000–$130,000+) with the full no-tax benefit.
Memphis local economy & job market
Memphis is built around FedEx, healthcare, and logistics. FedEx Corporation (HQ) employs 30,000+ in the Memphis metro across its World HQ and the massive Memphis SuperHub at Memphis International Airport — the world's second-busiest cargo airport. The FedEx hub drives an entire ecosystem of supply-chain, distribution, and trucking employment. AutoZone (HQ) employs 10,000+. International Paper (HQ) operates a global packaging business from Memphis. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Baptist Memorial Hospital anchor a 50,000+-employee healthcare cluster. Nike's massive Memphis Distribution Center is one of its largest globally. Smith & Nephew's US HQ is here. ServiceMaster (HQ) was acquired and reorganized but maintains significant Memphis presence. The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally renowned and a major research employer. Memphis has been growing slower than Nashville but remains a logistics powerhouse. The recent FedEx restructuring (2023-25) has brought some uncertainty but the Memphis HQ remains intact.
Top employers & industries in Memphis
Major employers
- FedEx (World HQ)
- Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
- AutoZone (HQ)
- International Paper (HQ)
- Nike Memphis Distribution
Key industries
- Logistics & Distribution
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Retail (HQs)
Memphis salary ranges by industry
Typical Memphis-area total compensation by industry. Ranges reflect mid-career professionals (3–10 years experience). Senior, principal, and executive roles often exceed the upper bound; entry-level roles typically start near or below the lower bound.
| Industry / Role | Salary range | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx Operations / Engineering | $58,000 – $145,000 | Industrial engineers, operations managers, IT |
| Healthcare (Specialists) | $185,000 – $395,000 | Methodist, Baptist, Regional One |
| Healthcare (RN, allied) | $58,000 – $85,000 | — |
| Logistics / Distribution Mgmt | $55,000 – $115,000 | — |
| Corporate (AutoZone, Intl Paper) | $72,000 – $185,000 | — |
| Service / Hospitality | $26,000 – $42,000 | — |
Compensation includes base salary plus typical bonus and stock-based compensation where common. Use the calculator above for accurate take-home pay at your specific salary.
Memphis housing market
Memphis has among the lowest median home prices of any major US metro at $185,000 — a fraction of coastal city prices. Germantown and Collierville (eastern suburbs) are wealthy enclaves with $485-700K medians and the region's top schools. Midtown and downtown Memphis have gentrified with restored craftsman homes ($300-500K). East Memphis (Park Ave/Poplar corridor) is the established middle-income area. Suburbs in DeSoto County (Mississippi, just south) and Mississippi-side commuter towns offer even lower costs with similar Memphis-area access. Property taxes are among the highest of major US cities (Shelby County effective rate ~1.4-1.7%) — partly offsetting low home prices. Floods are rare (Mississippi River levees protect city center) but wind/severe storm events occur. Memphis's housing market has been stable — not the boom-bust volatility of Nashville. Inventory is relatively high, giving buyers leverage.
Detailed cost of living in Memphis
Current monthly costs and key prices in the Memphis area to help estimate your real cost of living vs your take-home pay:
| Category | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $185,000 | Among lowest in major US metros |
| 1-bedroom rent | $870/month | |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,090/month | |
| Suburb median (Germantown) | $485,000 | Premium east suburb |
| Groceries (single person) | $305/month | |
| Gasoline | $2.85/gallon | |
| MATA transit pass | $50/month | Bus + trolley |
| Sales tax (Memphis) | 9.75% | Highest in TN |
Estimates as of 2026; actual costs vary by neighborhood, household size, and lifestyle.
Commute & transportation in Memphis
Memphis is car-dependent. MATA operates buses with limited coverage. Average commute is 23 minutes. I-40, I-240, and I-55 are main arteries. Traffic is mild compared to larger metros. FedEx's massive hub at Memphis International Airport operates round-the-clock, supporting significant freight and logistics employment.
Notable neighborhoods in Memphis
Memphis tax nuances you should know
Memphis benefits from Tennessee's no-state-income-tax (including for retirement income, capital gains, and Social Security). The Memphis combined sales tax is 9.75% — the highest in Tennessee and among the highest in the US. Tennessee taxes groceries at a reduced 4% state rate, but Memphis still adds 2.75% local for groceries. Property tax is high — Shelby County's effective rate (1.4-1.7%) is well above the Tennessee average. The city of Memphis itself adds another property tax layer. FedEx employees often have unique compensation structures including stock-based comp that's federally taxable but TN-tax-free. Many Memphis-area workers live in Mississippi (DeSoto County) where Mississippi income tax (4.4% in 2026) applies — but the savings on housing more than offset Mississippi's tax for many. Memphis's location at the corner of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas creates unusual cross-border tax planning opportunities for some workers.
Memphis paycheck & tax tips
- Maximize pre-tax deductions: 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026), HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family), FSA ($3,400) and commuter benefits (up to $340/month) all reduce your taxable income before federal income tax is calculated.
- Check your W-4 withholding: After major life changes (marriage, a new dependent, second job), update your W-4 to avoid owing a large tax bill or over-withholding. Use our W-4 Calculator to find the right allowances.
- Pay frequency matters: Bi-weekly earners get 26 paychecks per year (2 months with 3 paychecks). Budget based on monthly income, not per-paycheck amount, to avoid surprises in 3-paycheck months.
- Track FICA limits: Social Security (6.2%) only applies to the first $184,500 of wages in 2026. Once you cross that threshold, your paycheck increases by roughly 6.2% for the rest of the year — plan ahead if you depend on that boost.
- Self-employed in Memphis? You owe the full 15.3% self-employment tax (employee + employer FICA portions) instead of 7.65%. The calculator above shows employee-side FICA — self-employed workers should add the employer half when budgeting.
Who should move to Memphis?
Memphis is the right move for: FedEx employees and others in the logistics/supply-chain ecosystem; healthcare workers attracted to St. Jude, Methodist, or Baptist; first-time homebuyers seeking maximum affordability ($185K median); musicians and artists drawn to the blues, rock, and soul music heritage; corporate professionals at AutoZone, International Paper; retirees seeking minimal cost of living + no state tax. Less ideal for: tech-career-focused workers (small tech ecosystem); those uncomfortable with Memphis's higher crime rates compared to most peer cities; or anyone needing a vibrant nightlife (Memphis is more low-key than Nashville). Memphis offers some of the best dollar-for-dollar value in any US metro, especially for healthcare and logistics professionals.
Memphis paycheck frequently asked questions
How much take-home pay does a $55,000 salary provide in Memphis?
A single filer earning $55,000 in Memphis takes home approximately $43,000–$44,500 per year after federal income tax and FICA. No state income tax applies. With Memphis's cost of living index around 79, that take-home goes further than $60,000–$65,000 in average US cities.
What does FedEx pay in Memphis?
FedEx (headquartered in Memphis) pays across a wide range: package handlers start at $20–$22/hour; operations managers earn $70,000–$110,000; IT and engineering roles $80,000–$140,000; senior executives significantly more. All compensation is received with zero Tennessee state income tax, enhancing the effective value versus similar roles at companies based in high-tax states.