Memphis TN vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 209,720 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 25.0% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 62.9% | 37.5% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $46,628 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $30,451 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 26.6% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $241,627 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 37.2% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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