Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Austin, TX
VS
Memphis, TN
🏆 Austin leads 14 of 22 categories
Austin
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$86,556 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
123⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
958,202 ✓ Larger
Memphis
Tennessee
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,090
Violent Crime Index
658⚠ High
Population
630,027
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Austin, TX
Pros
Households earn $38,466 more per year on average
81% less violent crime than Memphis
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.2 pts lower (4.4%)
More college-educated — 56.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 51°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $461,500
Higher rents — median is $1,549/mo
Violent crime (466.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3241.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Memphis, TN
Pros
Homes cost $322k less ($139,600 vs $461,500)
Rent averages $499/mo less ($1,050 vs $1,549)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Austin
Cons
Median income trails Austin by $38,466/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 4.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Austin
Median Income
$38,466
$86,556 vs $48,090/yr
Austin
Violent Crime
81% lower
466.9 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Austin
Unemployment
4.2 pp lower
4.4% vs 8.6% unemployment
Austin
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 91.9°F
Memphis
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Memphis
Median Home Value
$322k less
$139,600 vs $461,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.6 | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $461,500⚠ High | $139,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,549⚠ High | $1,050 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,556 ✓ Higher | $48,090 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.9% ✓ 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 | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer | 658⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 154⚠ High ✓ Safer | 329⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (133) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.0:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 91.1% ✓ Higher | 87.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AUSTIN ISD | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer | 50.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer | 91.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 54.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 958,202 ✓ Larger | 630,027 |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 46.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 9.8% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Austin's cost of living index is 97.6 vs Memphis's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Memphis is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Austin leads 14 of 22 categories. Austin wins 14 and Memphis wins 8. 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 Austin to Memphis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($461,500 vs $139,600 median home), income ($86,556 vs $48,090), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Austin, TX and Memphis, TN are about 561 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.