Memphis TN vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Memphis
25.0%
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Bernardino +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 221,774 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 25.0% | 27.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Black | 62.9% | 11.8% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $23,980 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 12.8% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $492,059 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 48.5% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
San Bernardino
503
San Bernardino +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | San Bernardino + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
San Bernardino
20.0%
San Bernardino +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.0% | San Bernardino + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.2% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 30.7 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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