Ann Arbor MI vs Memphis TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
629,063
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
7.4%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
62.9%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 629,063 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 25.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 62.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,211 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,314 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Ann Arbor + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 42.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 17.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 14.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 19.9% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 60.9°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Ann Arbor is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
Compare More Cities
Ann Arbor, MI vs New York, NYAnn Arbor, MI vs Los Angeles, CAAnn Arbor, MI vs Chicago, ILAnn Arbor, MI vs Houston, TXAnn Arbor, MI vs Phoenix, AZAnn Arbor, MI vs Philadelphia, PA