Memphis TN vs Nashville TN — 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Nashville
N/A
White
Memphis
25.0%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 25.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 62.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Nashville
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $436,355 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Nashville
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Nashville
2350
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Nashville
47.9 in
Nashville +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 47.9 in | Nashville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Nashville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Nashville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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