Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dallas, TX
VS
Memphis, TN
🏆 Dallas leads 13 of 22 categories
Dallas
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,985 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,300,642 ✓ Larger
Memphis
Tennessee
9
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.
Dallas, TX
Pros
74% less violent crime than Memphis
Households earn $15,895 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.6 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 36.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 51°F
Cons
Violent crime (658.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3351.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Memphis
Memphis, TN
Pros
Homes cost $131k less ($139,600 vs $270,700)
Rent averages $255/mo less ($1,050 vs $1,305)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Dallas
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Cooler summers — July highs near 92°F vs 97°F
Cons
Violent crime (2501.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Dallas by $15,895/yr
Property crime (6899.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Dallas
Median Income
$15,895
$63,985 vs $48,090/yr
Dallas
Violent Crime
74% lower
658.2 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Dallas
Unemployment
3.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 8.6% unemployment
Dallas
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°F vs 91.9°F
Memphis
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Memphis
Median Home Value
$131k less
$139,600 vs $270,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $270,700 | $139,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,305 | $1,050 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,985 ✓ Higher | $48,090 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.4 min | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 658⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer | 329⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.5% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 87.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DALLAS ISD | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer | 50.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer | 91.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" ✓ Drier | 54.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.7" ✓ Less | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,300,642 ✓ Larger | 630,027 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 46.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.0% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dallas'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, Dallas leads 13 of 22 categories. Dallas wins 13 and Memphis wins 9. 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 Dallas to Memphis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($270,700 vs $139,600 median home), income ($63,985 vs $48,090), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dallas, TX and Memphis, TN are about 421 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.