Memphis TN vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 470,763 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.7 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 25.0% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 62.9% | 27.5% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $435,807 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 61.1°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 25.1 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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