Memphis TN vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Memphis
25.0%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.6 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 25.0% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 62.9% | 7.0% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $251,035 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 24.5% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.0% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 68.5°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 26.5 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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