Memphis TN vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 457,066 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.4 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 25.0% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 62.9% | 18.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 8.9% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $427,121 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 25.0 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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