The cost of living in Memphis has been a hotbed for discussion after a recent SmartAsset study set the annual salary needed for a single person to "live comfortably" at a spicy $85,000. For a family of four, the figure balloons to nearly $195,000. Compare that to the average Memphian’s income which clocks in at a modest $62,244, according to ZipRecruiter—a good $20,000 short.

Memphis, while it may be renowned for its blues and barbeque, also carries the financial blues of a 25th rank in terms of affordability among 99 major cities, Local Memphis reports. The study's threshold translates to an hourly wage of $41—an entire Hamilton more than the current average of $30 per hour.

Life in Nashville, according to the study, is even more costly, with its comfort level wages eclipsing those of its sister city Memphis. The new examination of living costs adheres to the 50/30/20 budgeting rule, widely propagated for a balanced financial diet: 50% for the essentials, 30% for the wants, and 20% for debts and savings, as noted by The Commercial Appeal.

For those thinking of moving to the Big Apple to escape the cost-of-living woes, think again. The study crowned New York City as the priciest haven for the comfortable life, demanding a lofty $138,000 per individual. On the flip end, Houston sits as the most economical city for single adults, needing a relatively moderate $75,000 to live without financial worry, Action News 5 pointed out.

Amid these revealing numbers, the stark reality is that living comfortably is becoming a steeper uphill battle for many, not just in Memphis but across the board as salaries struggle to pace with spiraling living costs. Whether Memphis will sing the tune of financial relief or continue to face the music of economic crunch remains to be seen as the narrative of the American cost of living continues to unfold.