Memphis TN vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 194,338 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.1 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 25.0% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 62.9% | 3.4% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $488,428 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.7% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 31.2 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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