Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Davenport +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 75.9% | 25.0% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Davenport + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Davenport +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $51,211 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $32,314 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,097 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.3% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 22.5% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 28.2% | Davenport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 46.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 639 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2350 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.6% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.7% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.9% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.9% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 60.9°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 54.9 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.9 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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