Memphis TN vs Miami FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Miami
446,663
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 446,663 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.7 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 25.0% | 34.2% | Miami + |
| Black | 62.9% | 13.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.6% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $580,996 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 30.7% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Miami
15.5%
Miami +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.5% | Miami + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 27.2% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Memphis +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 75.8°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 64.1 in | Memphis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 29.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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