Memphis TN vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 393,389 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.6 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 25.0% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 62.9% | 21.3% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $376,530 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 73.4°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 26.8 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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