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City comparison

Chicago, IL vs Memphis, TN

Climate is the sharpest divide between Chicago and Memphis. Chicago averages 74°F while Memphis averages 87°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,781 versus $1,274.

Chicago is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Memphis makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Chicago is the stronger move.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Memphis at $1,274 average has pockets that run $1,074 and others at $1,674: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full Chicago reportFull Memphis report

Chicago, IL

Rent
1,781/mo
Median income
71,673
Crime index
134
Schools
A-
Weather
74°F

Memphis, TN

Rent
1,274/mo
Median income
59,621
Crime index
150
Schools
A-
Weather
87°F

Rent

28% cheaper

Memphis rent is 28% cheaper than Chicago

Chicago

$1,781/mo

Memphis

Winner

$1,274/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,274 a month in Memphis versus $1,781 in Chicago, so Memphis is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $507/month back in your pocket ($6,084/year). Over five years that's $30,420 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 Chicago, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Memphis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

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Median income

20% higher

Chicago's median income is 20% higher than Memphis

Chicago

Winner

$71,673

Memphis

$59,621

What this means for your life

Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago versus $59,621 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 20% higher in Chicago (about $12,052 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, Chicago 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

11% lower crime

Chicago's crime index is 11% lower than Memphis

Chicago

Winner

134 (100 = avg)

Memphis

150 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Chicago's crime index is 134 versus 150 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Chicago. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Chicago, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Memphis. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

Neck and neck

Chicago and Memphis are about even on school scores.

Chicago

A- · 84/100

Memphis

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Chicago, A- in Memphis). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

64% more comfortable

Chicago weather is 64% more comfortable than Memphis

Chicago

Winner

74°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100

Memphis

87°F avg · 99°F highs · comfort 61/100

What this means for your life

Chicago averages about 74°F (81°F highs); Memphis averages about 87°F (99°F highs). Chicago sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Memphis runs very hot summers (highs near 99°F), which means indoor living for large stretches of the year. Chicago scores 64% 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 Memphis if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Chicago

Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access

It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 20% higher ($71,673), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Memphis (134 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.

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Fit check

Who should choose Memphis

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 28% cheaper here at about $1,274 a month. Choose Memphis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Open the Memphis report →

Bottom line

Chicago vs Memphis: Our Take

Chicago wins overall on this comparison, taking 3 of the 5 categories against 1 for Memphis.

Chicago's median household income is 20% higher ($71,673 vs $59,621), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

The main trade-off: Memphis's typical rent runs 28% lower than Chicago ($1,274/month vs $1,781/month), which is real money over a lease.

The decision comes down to whether you value the job market more than cost of living. For most middle-income movers, Chicago is the stronger choice.

Common questions

Chicago vs Memphis FAQ

Is Chicago cheaper than Memphis?
No. Memphis is cheaper: typical rent is $1,274 a month versus $1,781 in Chicago (28% lower). Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago compared with $59,621 in Memphis, so Chicago has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Chicago or Memphis?
Chicago is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 134 versus 150 in Memphis (11% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Chicago or Memphis?
School composites are close: A- in Chicago and A- in Memphis. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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