Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Memphis, TN
🏆 Carrollton leads 15 of 22 categories
Carrollton
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
Memphis
Tennessee
7
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.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Households earn $47,290 more per year on average
95% less violent crime than Memphis
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.9 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 51°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Memphis
Memphis, TN
Pros
Homes cost $188k less ($139,600 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $505/mo less ($1,050 vs $1,555)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $47,290/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 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$47,290
$95,380 vs $48,090/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
95% lower
137.1 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
4.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 8.6% unemployment
Memphis
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Memphis
Median Home Value
$188k less
$139,600 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $139,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $1,050 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $48,090 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 658⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 329⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 87.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 50.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 91.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 54.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 630,027 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 46.6% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Memphis's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Memphis is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 15 of 22 categories. Carrollton wins 15 and Memphis wins 7. 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 Carrollton to Memphis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $139,600 median home), income ($95,380 vs $48,090), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Memphis, TN are about 423 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.