Having life insurance can help financially support your beneficiaries after you pass away. It’s best to shop around and compare quotes and terms from various providers to determine the best carrier for your needs.
To help you choose the best life insurance companies in Memphis, Tennessee, MoneyGeek analyzed the best life insurance providers for different policy buyer profiles.
Best Life Insurance Companies in Memphis, TN, for 2023


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Best Cheap Life Insurance in Memphis
The cost of your life insurance is determined by your gender and the amount of coverage you buy. MassMutual is the most affordable company in Memphis for $250K coverage life insurance for both men and women, with policies costing roughly the same at $9 per month.
Although $250K coverage may be cheaper, it might not be enough coverage for you. If you need more coverage you may want to opt for a policy that includes Tennessee’s recommended minimum coverage amount of $652K. This coverage amount is determined by state-specific factors such as cost of living, average income, average personal debt and average age.
Based on the recommended coverage level in Tennessee, MassMutual offers the cheapest life insurance for men at $16 per month, while Nationwide provides the most affordable policy for women at $13 per month.
Cheapest Life Insurance Companies for Males and Females in Memphis
Cheapest For | $250K Coverage | $652K Coverage (Recommended) |
---|---|---|
Male | MassMutual | MassMutual |
Female | MassMutual | Nationwide |
Life Insurance Costs in Memphis for Men and Women
Gender is one of the most important factors impacting the cost of life insurance. For example, men in Memphis pay 6% less, while women pay 7% less than the average cost of life insurance in Tennessee.
In Memphis, the average cost of a life insurance policy with a base coverage of $250K is $18 for men and $15 for women.
These premiums can significantly increase if you opt for Tennessee’s recommended higher coverage level of $652K. Men pay $39 per month, on average, for Tennessee’s recommended coverage amount, while women pay $29 per month.
Meanwhile, regardless of the coverage limit, the average cost of a 10-year term insurance policy in Memphis is $24 per month for men and $19 per month for women.
Average Monthly Life Insurance Rates in Memphis: Men
Average Monthly Life Insurance Rates in Memphis: Women
Life insurance policy costs were determined by gathering 10-year term quotes from major life insurance companies in Memphis using average buyer profile statistics, including the average age of 31, the average weight of 197 pounds for males and 156 pounds for females, and an average coverage need of $652,000.
Life insurers may base their rates on other factors such as age and income. Still, gender is one of the main determining factors for the cost of life insurance. Women typically pay less for life insurance because they live longer than men.
According to a study, men die earlier because they take bigger risks, avoid doctors, commit suicide more often than women and have more dangerous jobs.
Although women live longer, one major life insurance research study states that more men buy life insurance than women. Women should consider purchasing life insurance, as they often provide the same economic support as men in their households.
Most Popular Life Insurance Companies in Tennessee
MoneyGeek found Northwestern Mutual, Tennessee Farmers Life Insurance Co. and State Farm to be the three most popular life insurance companies in Tennessee based on their respective market shares of 8%, 6% and 5%.
The top seven most popular life insurance companies in Tennessee have a combined market share of 36%. MoneyGeek compiled a list of the most popular life insurance companies in Tennessee and their market shares in the table below.
Most Popular Life Insurance Companies in Tennessee
A company’s market share is a measure of how much of a given market or industry is controlled by that company. The market share data in MoneyGeek’s analysis is based on total premiums written in the 2020 state S&P Global data reports.
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Cheapest Life Insurance for Young People in Memphis
In Memphis, the cost of life insurance for young adults varies from company to company, with premiums ranging from $14 to $29 per month. The top two cheapest life insurance companies for young adults in the state are:
- Mutual of Omaha: $14 per month
- MassMutual: $14 per month
The table below shows a complete list of all companies that offer affordable rates for young people in Memphis.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Young People in Memphis, TN
Rates were determined by analyzing quotes for a 25-year-old male non-smoker in Tennessee who is 5 feet 10 inches and 168 pounds that purchases a 20-year term contract at the average coverage need of $250K. We chose a 20-year term to provide a longer coverage period for a younger buyer.
Life insurance costs less for young people and becomes more expensive as you age. To save money on monthly premiums, it is best to get life insurance while you are young.
Cheapest Life Insurance for Seniors in Memphis
MoneyGeek’s data shows that the cost of life insurance for seniors in Memphis ranges from $36 to $74 per month. The cheapest life insurance companies for seniors include:
- MassMutual: $36 per month
- Mutual of Omaha: $74 per month
The table below contains the comprehensive list of the best and cheapest life insurance providers for seniors in Memphis.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in Memphis, TN
Rates were determined by analyzing quotes for a 60-year-old male non-smoker in Tennessee who is 5 feet 10 inches and 197 pounds that purchases a 10-year term contract at the average coverage need of $76K.
Age is a significant factor in determining the cost of your coverage; the older you are when you apply for life insurance, the more costly your policy will be. Older people are considered at higher risk because their policies will likely outlive them.
However, seniors can still save money on life insurance by choosing a low-coverage policy.
Most older people only need life insurance to cover burial expenses and outstanding obligations, as they have fewer dependents. As a result, the sample insurance coverage for seniors is set at $100K.
Cheapest Life Insurance for Smokers in Memphis
The average cost of life insurance for smokers in Memphis ranges from $104 to $195 per month. MoneyGeek found the following companies to be the cheapest for smokers in Memphis.
- MassMutual: $104 per month
- Nationwide: $111 per month
Other affordable life insurance companies for smokers in Memphis are listed below.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Smokers in Memphis, TN
Rates were determined by analyzing quotes for a 31-year-old male smoker in Tennessee who is 5 feet 10 inches and 197 pounds that purchases a 20-year term contract at the average coverage need of $652K.
Smokers are considered high risk by insurers because they are more likely to develop life-threatening health problems. If you’re a smoker, it’s important to shop around for life insurance rates; some companies will charge higher premiums for smokers than others.
MoneyGeek’s guide can help you find the most affordable life insurance providers for smokers.
If you are a smoker, we suggest buying a longer-term (20-year) policy to provide more extended coverage, as rates for smokers increase as you age.
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Methodology
MoneyGeek determined the recommended life insurance coverage by factoring in per capita income from the U.S. Bureau of Economics, average mortgage debt, average personal debt and average age. Keep in mind that each buyer is unique and may need more or less coverage depending on their specific circumstances.
About Mark Fitzpatrick

sources
- Harvard Health Publishing. "Why Men Often Die Earlier Than Women." Accessed May 26, 2022.
- Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA). "Facts About Life Insurance 2021." Accessed May 26, 2022.
- National Center for Health Statistics. "Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for January through June, 2020." Accessed May 26, 2022.
- S&P Global. "2020 Annual Report." Accessed May 26, 2022.