Memphis TN vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.1 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 25.0% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 62.9% | 39.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.4% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $233,814 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 34.5 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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