City comparison
Yes. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The income gap between Boston and Memphis is significant: $97,344 median household versus $51,736. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,147 in Boston and $1,181 in Memphis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis costs less and Boston pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Boston and Memphis are 1,135 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $966 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $51,736 in Memphis, down $45,608 (47%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 495 in Memphis, up 348 points (237%).
The move
Memphis and Boston are 1,135 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $966 a month (82%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $97,344 in Boston, up $45,608 (88%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 147 in Boston, down 348 points (70%).
Boston, MA
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 Boston and Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Memphis rent is 45% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $2,147 in Boston, so Memphis is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $966/month back in your pocket ($11,592/year). Over five years that's $57,960 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 Boston, 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 Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
88% higher
Boston's median income is 88% higher than Memphis
Boston
Winner$97,344
Memphis
$51,736
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 88% higher in Boston (about $45,608 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, Boston 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
70% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 70% lower than Memphis
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 70% lower in Boston. 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, Boston 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
72% more comfortable
Memphis weather is 72% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
Memphis
Winner68°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); Memphis averages about 68°F (78°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Memphis sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Memphis scores 72% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 88% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 70% lower than Memphis (147 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Memphis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 45% 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.
Pick Memphis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (68°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 72%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Memphis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Boston scores 48/100 versus 11/100 in Memphis. Rent is $2,147/month in Boston and $1,181/month in Memphis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Boston still pays more locally ($97,344 median income vs $51,736), which can offset the lease if your field pays Boston rates.
Median income is $97,344 in Boston versus $51,736 in Memphis.
Boston is ahead on safety (48/100 vs 11/100); Memphis is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,181/month rent plus $51,736 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Boston and Memphis, plus other cities in MA and TN.
