Memphis TN vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 543,348 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.6 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 25.0% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 62.9% | 5.0% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $31,152 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $324,946 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 69.8°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 23.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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