Memphis TN vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.5 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 25.0% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 62.9% | 6.6% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 8.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $871,599 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 44.3% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.0% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 28.8 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Memphis, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TNChicago, IL vs Memphis, TNHouston, TX vs Memphis, TNMemphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZMemphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA