Memphis, Tennessee
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Memphis.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Memphis?
Memphis, TN has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 68 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $157,100 and median rent about $1,123, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $51,211. Typical commute is 23 minutes; summer highs average 91°F. Violent-offense rates run about 1901.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 68U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $157,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,123U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $51,211U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.0%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1901.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 91°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Memphis compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 610,919City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $51,211Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year35% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 68ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $157,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year48% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,123City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year17% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.0%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3522% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1901.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)224% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 6128.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)98% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 91°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 35°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (34°F)U.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 54.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals66% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 254As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Memphis declined 6.3% from 652,326 in 2010 to 610,919 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Memphis expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Memphis runs 32 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 68 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $157,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,123 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Memphis?
Budget first around $1,123/month rent or $157,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $157,100
- Median rent $1,123/month
- Median household income $51,211
What is the job market like in Memphis?
Labor-market context for Memphis: unemployment 5.0% and median income $51,211. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.0% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $51,211
How long is the typical commute in Memphis?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Memphis. Walk Score estimates around 35 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 35/100
Is Memphis safer than similar U.S. cities?
Memphis's FBI-derived violent rate (~1901.4/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1901.4 per 100k
- Property 6128.4 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Memphis?
Memphis's climate profile: 91°F summer peaks, 35°F winter mornings, 54.9" annual rainfall, and 254 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 91°F
- Winter low 35°F
- 54.9 in rain · 254 sunny days
About 610,919 people live in Memphis, TN. Median household income is roughly $51,211, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 68 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $157,100 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Memphis sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Memphis with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Music/tourism hubs and auto manufacturing corridors sit under humid summers. With about 54.9 inches of rain a year, wet-season drainage and mold checks are worth asking about. Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 35. Unemployment recently ran near 5.0%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1901.4 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Memphis city, 1600000US4748000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Shelby County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013893 MEMPHIS INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10