Memphis TN vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 114,303 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 25.0% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 62.9% | 1.1% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $26,755 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $486,127 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 39.9% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 21.5% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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