Memphis TN vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Memphis
25.0%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 293,109 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.6 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 62.9% | 43.1% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 5.1% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
St. Louis
$185,100
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $185,100 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 45.4% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Memphis, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.9% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | St. Louis, MO | 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
Memphis +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | St. Louis, 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
Memphis +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 24.0 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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