Memphis TN vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 307,188 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.8 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 25.0% | 16.5% | Memphis + |
| Black | 62.9% | 46.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $48,416 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $25,509 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 10.9% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 24.7% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 17.4% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $482,675 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 24.1% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 23.4% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.2% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 35.9 min | Memphis + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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