There's a town that I call home, where all the streets are paved with soul. Down on Beale there's a honky-tonk bar, so hear the wail of a blues guitar. Have a beer and drop a dime in the blind man's jar. The blues sing softly in the air, like a Sunday morning prayer. Just one more drink and you'll see God everywhere. Like a sad old melody that cheers you up, it sets you free. And that's how Memphis lives in me." (-Bon Jovi, "Memphis Lives In Me").
Living in Memphis, TN
Memphis Tennessee is an iconic place in so many ways. It's the birthplace of the blues, soul, and that just-about-to-catch-on musical genre called Rock and Roll. It is the epicenter of many food debates with restaurants like Gus's Hot & Spicy Chicken and Charles Vergos' Rendezvous always topping the lists of the country's best fried chicken and ribs respectively, and actual tourist destinations unto themselves. Memphis is where your overnight package will spend a couple of hours at the worldwide hub for FedEx. And in Memphis you can plant your feet on the doormat of the second most visited home in the world.
They even let you go in. No, not my Aunt Peg's (who does make some mean biscuits and sweet tea, which is reason alone to visit), but Elvis's - the King himself. Add the majesty of the Mississippi River, the NBA's coyly named Memphis Grizzlies (the nearest grizzly bear roams a brisk 1,600 miles away, but the Memphis Zoo does have a set of twins), and the neon festooned nightlife of world famous Beale Street, and you've found yourself in an unmistakably multifaceted city. Now time to find an unmistakably awesome apartment.
Apartment Hunting in Memphis, TN
As the 19th most populous city in the U.S., the rental market in Memphis should not be overly difficult or expensive to navigate. Like most places, choose wisely as even abutting sections can vary so widely in demographics.
We recommend starting your searching by familiarizing yourself a little bit with the most popular neighborhoods, and taking our easy quiz to see what's available in your target price range. To start, just select the number of bedrooms you're looking for in the box on the right.
Cost of Living in Memphis, TN
The cost of living in Memphis, TN is very affordable for many, making it a great place to consider if you want to move to a big city on a budget. According to MIT's Living Wage Calculator, one adult with no kids would need to earn $15.46 to live in Memphis.
Best Neighborhoods in Memphis, TN
It comes down to the three basic disco-oriented checkboxes of life: The Hustle, Funky Town, or We Are Family... in other words, nightlife (Downtown), the ethnic/artsy/cultural vibe (Midtown including Overton Square and Cooper-Young), or more the carpool and soccer ball scene (East burbs).
Downtown Memphis
One of the most renowned spots for American nightlife is Downtown Memphis with Beale Street being the undisputed nucleus therein. With the most dining choices, views of the river, The FedEx center for sports, concerts, and cultural must-haves of rodeo and monster truck jams, Downtown Memphis is the choice for those wishing for the fast paced River City lifestyle. The MATA (Memphis Area Transit Association) trolley runs downtown and can get you to and fro with, well, not so much timeliness but with quaintness.
If you live and work downtown, you can consider ridding yourself of your automobile, but parking isn't a super hassle and traffic in the grid layout is considered marginally better than other major metropolitan areas. The highest Memphis rents are Downtown, specifically in the entertainment and business districts, and close to the river. In these sections, expect to pay approximately $900 for a low rise 1 BR nearby, or around $1,300 for the most luxurious 1 BR in the most sought after central high rises. Add around $450 per month for a 2 BR.
If you want to be downtown, out of earshot of the blues, and pay a couple hundred dollars less each month, take a look at the upscale Harbor Town area, historic Victorian Village, or the even more affordable Medical District community (in between Downtown and Midtown - called C Crosstown).
Midtown
Home to several institutes of higher learning including Christian Brothers University, Memphis College of Art, Memphis Theological Seminary, Rhodes College, and Victory University as well as some cultural venues such as Overton Park, The Levitt Shell (outdoor concert venue and site of Elvis's first paid appearance in 1954), Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis Zoo, and The Old Forest Arboretum, Midtown Memphis has earned the tagline “Midtown IS Memphis.” Midtown is ethnic, diverse, and what its residents consider the real Memphis. Overton Square is the home of the unsuspectingly busy Memphis theatre scene. In Cooper-Young you will find the most eclectic mix of restaurants and entertainment venues including the Elvis Impersonator Shrine (note: Replica Elvis rhinestone jumpsuits - made to original specifications and by original manufacturer start at $3,000 - so plan accordingly). In these exciting Midtown neighborhoods, expect to pay about half of that of most upscale downtown apartments.
East of the City
Communities such as Bartlett, Collierville, and Germantown are considered close to the heart of Downtown Memphis ~ 20 miles on average. Malls, chain restaurants, ball fields, places of worship, and the occasional boutique, wine bar, and pet spa dot the landscape East of Memphis. Rents in these neighborhoods are comparable to Midtown and larger apartments are easier to find due to the larger number of families seeking their homes in these places.
Graceland
Elvis fan, huh? Nice try, Graceland isn't so much residential these days as it is highly touristed with budget lodgings and fast food outlets. On the upside, if you regularly desire a restaurant-made version of Elvis's favorite sandwich - Peanut Butter, Banana, and Bacon, Graceland living may just suit you.
Rent Prices in Memphis, TN
All of our rental pricing data comes directly from our expertly curated database of rental estimates and trends, which we update monthly. The rental estimates on this page were updated in November 2023.
What Is the Average Rent in Memphis, TN?
The average price of rent in Memphis, TN as of November 2023 is $1,135 for a bedroom of any size.
What is the Average Rent for a 1-Bedroom in Memphis, TN?
For a one-bedroom in Memphis, TN expect to pay an average of $939.
What is the Average Rent for a 2-Bedroom in Memphis, TN?
The average renter interested in a 2-Bedroom in Memphis should expect to pay around $1,092.
Pet-Friendly Apartment Hunting in Memphis, TN
If you have a pet, check first and always ask about breed restrictions. Many apartment complexes welcome Fido and Mittens so long as Fido isn't a pit bull and Mittens isn't a leopard, but they also welcome them with one-time, non-refundable pet fees ($300 - $500 total) and almost always additional, recurring pet rent of $10 - $30 per month. On the upside, the Memphis apartment market has relatively low security deposits of, generally, $200 - $300 (sometimes even lower) regardless of size or location for complexes, while higher deposits are closer the norm for others.
Transportation in Memphis, TN
Memphis is not a particularly large city, nor is it particularly difficult to navigate. Its lack of a subway or light rail system means you'll probably want to keep your car if you already have one - except if you live and work downtown as mentioned. Beale Street is smaller than you'd think but steeped in American musical roots and is lively all night, every night. Now go do the Elvis thing once at least, see the ducks at The Peabody Hotel once eat the BBQ, many, many times,... but those ducks are just so cute, okay, so once isn't enough, and, of course, without question, take the Mud Island Monorail and pretend you're Tom Cruise being chased in The Firm.
