Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Memphis
629,063
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Boston
21.5%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 629,063 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.3 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 7.4% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 25.0% | Boston + |
| Black | 21.5% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 1.7% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 10.2% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $51,211 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $32,314 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,097 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.3% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 22.5% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 28.2% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 639 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2350 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 42.1% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.7% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 14.9% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 19.9% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 60.9°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 54.9 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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