What are the schools like in Memphis, TN?

Memphis is served primarily by Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The district operates 122 elementary schools, 33 middle schools, and 50 high schools.

What is the median household income in Memphis?

The median household income in Memphis, TN is $48,090 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.6%.

What is the weather like in Memphis, TN?

Memphis has an average high temperature of 50.9°F in January and 91.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 54.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 2.7 inches.

Memphis, TN Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Memphis, TN affordable or expensive?

Memphis's cost of living index is 92, where 100 represents the national average. This means Memphis is 8% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $139,600 and the median rent is $1,050 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Memphis, TN?

Memphis has a violent crime rate of 2501.3 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 6899.0 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Memphis, TN a Good Place to Live?

Memphis is a large city of 630,027 in Tennessee, with a median household income of $48,090 and a 8.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is 8% below the national average.

Strengths: Memphis stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Memphis is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Memphis city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 92.4

Memphis's overall cost of living index is 92.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Memphis costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.

Metric	Memphis, TN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$139,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,050	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	46.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$48,090	$74,755

Crime & Safety

High Crime

Memphis's violent crime rate is 2501.3 per 100,000 residents — 558% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

2501.3 /100k

Property Crime

6899.0 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Memphis is served primarily by Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Metric	Memphis, TN	National Avg
School District	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	—
Elementary Schools	122	—
Middle Schools	33	—
High Schools	50	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	N/A	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	27.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	87.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Memphis sees average highs of 50.9°F in January and 91.9°F in July, with 54.9 inches of annual precipitation and 2.7 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Memphis, TN
Average High — January	50.9°F
Average High — July	91.9°F
Annual Precipitation	54.9"
Annual Snowfall	2.7"

Demographics

Metric	Memphis, TN	National Avg
Population	630,027	—
Median Age	34.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	26.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	64.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.6%	18.9%
Asian	1.6%	6.3%
Under 18	24.6%	22.2%
65 and over	14.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Germantown, TN 11 mi Southaven, MS 11 mi Horn Lake, MS 12 mi Bartlett, TN 12 mi Lakeview, MS 13 mi

ZIP Codes in Memphis

Memphis, TN is covered by 29 ZIP codes:

38109 38118 38116 38128 38127 38113 38134 38106 38018 38016 38111 38120 38117 38119 38115 38114 38108 38122 38141 38107 38104 38112 38125 38103 38126 38105 38132 38131 38152

Memphis vs Other Cities

Memphis, TN vs Germantown, TN Memphis, TN vs Southaven, MS Memphis, TN vs Horn Lake, MS Memphis, TN vs Bartlett, TN Memphis, TN vs Lakeview, MS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Memphis, TN affordable or expensive?

Memphis's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average. That makes Memphis roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $139,600 and median rent is $1,050/month.

What is the crime rate in Memphis, TN?

Memphis's violent crime rate is 2501.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 6899.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Memphis?

Public schools in Memphis are operated by Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The district has 122 elementary, 33 middle, and 50 high schools. 27.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Memphis, TN a good place to live?

Memphis, TN has a population of 630,027, a median household income of $48,090, and an unemployment rate of 8.6%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Memphis?

Memphis averages 50.9°F in January and 91.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 54.9 inches with about 2.7 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Memphis?

Memphis, TN is covered by 29 ZIP codes: 38109, 38118, 38116, 38128, 38127, 38113, 38134, 38106, 38018, 38016, 38111, 38120, 38117, 38119, 38115, 38114, 38108, 38122, 38141, 38107, 38104, 38112, 38125, 38103, 38126, 38105, 38132, 38131, 38152.

What is the population of Memphis?

The population of Memphis, Tennessee is 630,027 with a median age of 34.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Memphis?

Key numbers for living in Memphis: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $139,600, median household income $48,090, crime index 400 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Memphis side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.