Memphis TN vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 186,419 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 25.0% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 62.9% | 7.8% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $468,328 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 41.6% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.3% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 71.3°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 23.2 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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