Memphis TN vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 229,228 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.2 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.1% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 62.9% | 2.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 7.8% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $400,636 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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