City Comparison
La Vergne vs Memphis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
La Vergne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
La Vergne
Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Memphis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in La Vergne.
Housing costs are a major driver: La Vergne's average rent is
60% higher than Memphis's.
| Metric | La Vergne | Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,932 | $1,210 | +60% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $120 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,872 | $2,100 | +37% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
La Vergne offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, La Vergne delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in La Vergne is estimated at
$52,000 vs $70,000 in Memphis.
| Metric | La Vergne | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,583 idx | 50,562 idx |
| Household Income | $81,313 | $51,736 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
La Vergne runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, La Vergne comes out ahead with 226 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — La Vergne sees 6.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | La Vergne | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 62.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 226 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Memphis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to La Vergne.
La Vergne scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, La Vergne leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | La Vergne | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 19.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Memphis is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of La Vergne.
From a growth perspective, La Vergne is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, La Vergne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | La Vergne | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,146 | 609,647 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.82% | — |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
La Vergne
Advantages
Ranked as Tennessee's 'Freest City' for pro-business policies, low property taxes, and minimal regulatory red tape per the Beacon Center
Strategic location along I-24 providing swift access to Nashville and major regional employment hubs
Robust local economy driven by advanced manufacturing, logistics, and major employers like Bridgestone and Ingram Book
Proximity to Percy Priest Lake and Veterans Memorial Park offers abundant water recreation and green spaces
No state personal income tax in Tennessee, maximizing take-home pay for local workers
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on automobiles results in notable peak-hour traffic congestion along Interstate 24
Average commute times can stretch longer than the national norm due to regional commuter volume
Rapid regional population growth has put upward pressure on local housing prices and rental rates
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city limits forces total car dependency
Poverty rate sits slightly above the national average in specific pockets despite strong overall median incomes
Memphis
Advantages
Memphis boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, particularly renowned for its rich musical heritage and diverse culinary offerings.
Utility rates in Memphis are among the lowest in the United States, contributing to overall affordability.
The rental market exhibits strong demand and low vacancy rates, indicating a stable environment for property owners and investors.
Memphis has seen significant reductions in overall and violent crime rates in 2025, with homicides declining by 26%.
Drawbacks
Memphis has experienced a consistent population decline in recent years, with a projected negative growth rate.
The city has a very high violent crime rate, significantly above the national average, despite recent reductions.
Despite low utility rates, a high energy burden disproportionately affects low-income households.
Memphis is a car-dependent city with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Tennessee, as a state, ranks low in overall healthcare quality, which may reflect on city-level access and outcomes.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
La Vergne
#61Tennessee, USA
70.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,932
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
226/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.82%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
74
Business
82
Memphis
#594Tennessee, USA
42.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
20.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
55
Business
62
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