Memphis TN vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 268,461 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 62.9% | 28.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.4% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 8.9% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $47,532 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $27,407 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,300 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.5% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 24.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 21.0% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Toledo
15.7%
Toledo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Toledo
20.6%
Toledo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Toledo
19.9%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Toledo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.6% | Toledo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 19.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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