Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Memphis, TN
VS
Orlando, FL
🏆 Orlando leads 14 of 22 categories
Memphis
Tennessee
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,090
Violent Crime Index
658⚠ High
Population
630,027 ✓ Larger
Orlando
Florida
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
307,738
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Memphis, TN
Pros
Homes cost $193k less ($139,600 vs $332,700)
Rent averages $459/mo less ($1,050 vs $1,509)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Orlando
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Cons
Median income trails Orlando by $18,202/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 5.2%)
Orlando, FL
Pros
67% less violent crime than Memphis
Households earn $18,202 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 41.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 51°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $332,700
Higher rents — median is $1,509/mo
Violent crime (835.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4028.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Memphis
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Memphis
Median Home Value
$193k less
$139,600 vs $332,700
Orlando
Median Income
$18,202
$66,292 vs $48,090/yr
Orlando
Violent Crime
67% lower
835.8 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Orlando
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
5.2% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper | 101.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $139,600 ✓ Lower | $332,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,050 ✓ Lower | $1,509⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,090 | $66,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.5% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 400⚠ High | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 658⚠ High | 220⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 329⚠ High | 192⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.9% | 41.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.2% | 91.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | ORANGE |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.9°F | 71.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.9" | 51.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 630,027 ✓ Larger | 307,738 |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% ✓ Higher | 39.2% |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Memphis's cost of living index is 92.4 vs Orlando's 101.1 (US average = 100).
Memphis is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Orlando leads 14 of 22 categories. Memphis wins 8 and Orlando wins 14. 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 Memphis to Orlando or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($139,600 vs $332,700 median home), income ($48,090 vs $66,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Memphis, TN and Orlando, FL are about 690 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.