Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anaheim, CA
VS
Memphis, TN
🏆 Anaheim leads 11 of 21 categories
Anaheim
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,538 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
347,111
Memphis
Tennessee
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,090
Violent Crime Index
658⚠ High
Population
630,027 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anaheim, CA
Pros
Households earn $40,448 more per year on average
76% less violent crime than Memphis
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 51°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 92°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $713,600
Higher rents — median is $1,958/mo
Violent crime (596.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Memphis
Memphis, TN
Pros
Homes cost $574k less ($139,600 vs $713,600)
Rent averages $908/mo less ($1,050 vs $1,958)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Anaheim
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Cons
Median income trails Anaheim by $40,448/yr
Violent crime (2501.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (6899.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anaheim
Median Income
$40,448
$88,538 vs $48,090/yr
Anaheim
Violent Crime
76% lower
596.2 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Anaheim
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.4% vs 8.6% unemployment
Memphis
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Memphis
Median Home Value
$574k less
$139,600 vs $713,600
Memphis
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 86.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $713,600⚠ High | $139,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,958⚠ High | $1,050 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,538 ✓ Higher | $48,090 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.4 min⚠ High | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.8% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer | 658⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 329⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (74) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.0:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 77.8% | 87.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anaheim Elementary | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.0°F ✓ Warmer | 50.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.2" ✓ Drier | 54.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 347,111 | 630,027 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 46.6% |
| Under 18 | 22.9% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anaheim's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Memphis's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Memphis is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Anaheim leads 11 of 21 categories. Anaheim wins 11 and Memphis wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anaheim to Memphis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($713,600 vs $139,600 median home), income ($88,538 vs $48,090), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anaheim, CA and Memphis, TN are about 1,580 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.