What it actually costs to live in
Shelby County, TN.
Living wage breakdown for Shelby County, Tennessee — by household size.
Living wage by household size
| Household | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $16.60 | $34,521 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $25.77 | $53,593 |
| 1 Adult, 2 Children | $34.48 | $71,718 |
| 1 Adult, 3 Children | $43.01 | $89,461 |
| 2 Adults (1 working) | $22.26 | $46,309 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Child | $31.56 | $65,645 |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children | $39.96 | $83,126 |
| 2 Adults, 3 Children | $48.18 | $100,215 |
Annual cost breakdown (1 Adult)
| Category | Annual Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $10,594 | $883 |
| Food | $4,428 | $369 |
| Medical | $3,426 | $286 |
| Transportation | $5,122 | $427 |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 |
| Civic & Other | $2,093 | $174 |
| Personal & Misc | $2,644 | $220 |
| Taxes | $6,214 | $518 |
| Total | $34,521 | $2,877 |
Wage comparison
Living wage$16.60/hr
Minimum wage$7.25/hr
Poverty wage$7.52/hr
Have a salary in mind for Shelby County?
Check a salary →Data calculated from HUD, BLS, USDA, and Census data (2025). Methodology based on MIT Living Wage Calculator research.