Memphis TN vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 199,696 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 25.0% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 62.9% | 35.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 8.6% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 23.2% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $293,664 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 39.5% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Memphis +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 67.6°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 58.1 in | Memphis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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