Memphis TN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Memphis
629,063
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.9 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 25.0% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 62.9% | 43.3% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $580,173 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 41.1% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 24.0% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 32.8 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
Memphis, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TNChicago, IL vs Memphis, TNHouston, TX vs Memphis, TNMemphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZMemphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA