Memphis TN vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.0 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 25.0% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 62.9% | 13.4% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $207,961 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 23.6 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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