City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Austin and Memphis is significant: $93,658 median household versus $51,736. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,181 in Memphis.
This is a genuine split. Austin wins on the job market and safety and Memphis wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Memphis at $1,181 average has pockets that run $981 and others at $1,581: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Austin and Memphis are 560 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $548 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $51,736 in Memphis, down $41,922 (45%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 495 in Memphis, up 333 points (206%).
The move
Memphis and Austin are 560 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $548 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $93,658 in Austin, up $41,922 (81%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 162 in Austin, down 333 points (67%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Memphis, TN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Memphis rent is 32% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $1,729 in Austin, so Memphis is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $548/month back in your pocket ($6,576/year). Over five years that's $32,880 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Austin, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Memphis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
81% higher
Austin's median income is 81% higher than Memphis
Austin
Winner$93,658
Memphis
$51,736
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 81% higher in Austin (about $41,922 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Memphis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
67% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 67% lower than Memphis
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% lower in Austin. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Austin is the easier city. Memphis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Austin and Memphis are about even on typical weather.
Austin
76°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Memphis
70°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin averages about 76°F (85°F highs); Memphis averages about 70°F (79°F highs). Austin sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Memphis sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Austin is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 81% higher here ($93,658). Start with Austin if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 67% lower than Memphis (162 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Memphis
Memphis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,181 a month. Choose Memphis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Memphis carries the heavier crime signal on this page (11/100 safety vs 45/100 in Austin). That 34-point spread matters more than the $548 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Memphis rent at $1,181/month is still below Austin's $1,729, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,181 in Memphis and $1,729 in Austin.
Austin clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Memphis deserves a serious look only when you already know the Memphis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Austin?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Memphis, plus other cities in TX and TN.
