Memphis TN vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 113,714 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.7 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.5% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 62.9% | 19.8% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 3.4% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Springfield
$168,312
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $168,312 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Springfield
41.1%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 41.1% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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