Memphis TN vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Sunnyvale +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 153,455 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.1 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 25.0% | 30.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Black | 62.9% | 1.5% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $2,144,024 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 43.8% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 25.3 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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