What is the best hospital in Memphis?

Methodist University Hospital earns a 4-star CMS rating and is the flagship of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Methodist North and Methodist South also earn 4 stars. For pediatric cancer, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is world-renowned.

Is Methodist or Baptist better in Memphis?

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare currently leads with three 4-star hospitals, while Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis earns 3 stars. Methodist University Hospital is the region's top academic medical center. Baptist has a broader outpatient network across the Mid-South.

Which Memphis hospitals are most transparent?

Regional One Health leads Memphis in price transparency with 258 published procedures — one of the highest counts nationally. Methodist and Baptist hospitals publish limited pricing data, making Regional One the best option for upfront price information.

Does St. Jude really not charge patients?

Yes. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not bill families for treatment, travel, housing, or food. This unique model means families of qualifying pediatric patients face no out-of-pocket costs. St. Jude is funded by donations and research grants.

How can I compare hospital prices in Memphis?

Use Taven's free provider comparison tool to see real negotiated rates from Memphis hospital transparency filings. Regional One Health's 258 published procedures provide the most comprehensive pricing data in the Memphis market.

Best Hospitals in Memphis (2026) — Ranked by Quality & Cost

Memphis is a major regional medical hub, anchored by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and home to the legendary St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Three Methodist hospitals earn 4-star CMS ratings — the highest in the metro. Regional One Health serves as the area's Level I trauma center and safety-net hospital, publishing an impressive 258 priced procedures.

This guide ranks Memphis-area hospitals by CMS star ratings, cost-to-charge ratios, and price transparency — helping you navigate the Mid-South's healthcare capital.

Top 5 Hospitals in Memphis

Hospital	CMS Rating	Cost-to-Charge	Priced Procedures
Methodist North Hospital	⭐⭐⭐⭐	N/A	0
Methodist South Hospital	⭐⭐⭐⭐	N/A	0
Methodist University Hospital	⭐⭐⭐⭐	N/A	0
Regional One Health	⭐⭐	0.25	258
Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis	⭐⭐⭐	N/A	0

Understanding the Rankings

CMS Star Ratings

Memphis has three 4-star hospitals, all part of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare: Methodist North Hospital, Methodist South Hospital, and Methodist University Hospital. Baptist Memorial Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital earn 3 stars. Regional One Health, the city's safety-net hospital and Level I trauma center, earns 2 stars.

Cost-to-Charge Ratio

Memphis hospital cost data is limited. Regional One Health shows a cost-to-charge ratio of 0.25 (4x markup). Methodist and Baptist hospitals do not have HCRIS data currently linked in our system. Tennessee is known for high hospital markups statewide, particularly among for-profit chains.

Price Transparency

Regional One Health is the transparency standout in Memphis, publishing an impressive 258 priced procedures — one of the highest counts in any city we track. Methodist and Baptist hospitals publish limited pricing data. This gives Regional One patients the clearest picture of expected costs despite its lower CMS rating.

Best Value Hospitals in Memphis

**Best quality:** Methodist University Hospital — 4-star flagship of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
**Best transparency:** Regional One Health at 258 priced procedures — among the most transparent in the US
**Best suburban options:** Methodist North and Methodist South — both 4-star community hospitals
**Best for children:** St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — world-renowned, no-cost treatment for qualifying pediatric patients
**Best trauma care:** Regional One Health — Memphis's only Level I trauma center

Memphis Hospital System Overview

**Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare** — Memphis's leading nonprofit system. Operates Methodist University Hospital (4-star, the flagship), Methodist North Hospital (4-star), Methodist South Hospital (4-star), and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Church-affiliated with a strong regional reputation.
**Baptist Memorial Health Care** — Operates Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis (3-star) and children's services. One of the largest nonprofit healthcare systems in the Southeast. Extensive network of clinics and specialty centers.
**Regional One Health** — Memphis's public safety-net hospital and the region's only Level I trauma center (2-star). Publishes 258 priced procedures. Known for burn care and trauma. Serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
**St. Jude Children's Research Hospital** — World-famous pediatric cancer hospital. Not rated by CMS (specialized children's research hospital). Families never receive a bill from St. Jude — a unique model in American healthcare.
**Saint Francis Hospital** — Part of Tenet Healthcare's for-profit system (3-star). Provides general acute care in the Memphis metro.

Memphis's Medical Hub Status

Memphis punches above its weight as a medical center. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital alone makes the city globally significant. Methodist Le Bonheur's three 4-star hospitals provide solid general care, and Regional One Health's Level I trauma center and exceptional price transparency serve the region well. The challenge is limited cost data for Methodist and Baptist — patients may face pricing uncertainty at the highest-quality facilities.

Tips for Choosing a Hospital in Memphis

**Methodist is the quality leader.** Three 4-star hospitals give you location options across the metro.
**Regional One is the most transparent.** Despite its 2-star rating, 258 published procedures means you can see pricing upfront.
**St. Jude is unique.** If your child qualifies, there is no better place — families never receive a bill.
**Compare prices before scheduled procedures.** Use Taven's comparison tool with real Memphis data.
**Tennessee has limited patient billing protections.** No state surprise billing law (federal No Surprises Act applies). Be proactive about verifying network status.
**Ask about charity care** — Methodist and Baptist are nonprofits required to offer financial assistance.
**Get a Good Faith Estimate** before any planned procedure.
**Review your bill.** Use our free bill review tool to catch errors and overcharges.

How We Rank Hospitals

Our rankings use CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, cost-to-charge ratios from CMS cost reports, and price transparency compliance data. We don't accept advertising from hospitals. Learn more about our methodology.