Memphis TN vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 169,432 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.8% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 62.9% | 4.3% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 5.6% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $45,984 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $30,864 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $245,279 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 42.9% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, 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 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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 37.7%.
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