Memphis TN vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 229,021 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.1 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 25.0% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 62.9% | 4.4% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $802,780 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.9% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 37.4 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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