Memphis TN vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 115,396 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.6 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 25.0% | 21.4% | Memphis + |
| Black | 62.9% | 17.3% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $608,357 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Richmond
503
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Richmond
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 37.7 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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