Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.3 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 7.4% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 25.0% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.7% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 10.2% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,097 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.3% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 28.2% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 639 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2350 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 42.1% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 17.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 20.7% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.9% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 54.9 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.9 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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