City comparison
Yes. Columbus's crime index is 164 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 140 versus 629, using 2024 FBI data for Columbus and 2024-2025 FBI data for Memphis.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $1,295 in Columbus.
Safety is where Columbus and Memphis split most clearly. Columbus scores 331 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,295 in Columbus and $1,181 in Memphis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis costs less and Columbus 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 crime gap is citywide. Columbus has rougher pockets and Memphis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Columbus and Memphis are 509 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,295 a month in Columbus to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $114 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $66,082 in Columbus to $51,736 in Memphis, down $14,346 (22%).
The crime index goes from 164 in Columbus to 495 in Memphis, up 331 points (202%).
The move
Memphis and Columbus are 509 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $1,295 a month in Columbus, up $114 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $66,082 in Columbus, up $14,346 (28%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 164 in Columbus, down 331 points (67%).
Columbus, OH
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 Columbus and Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Memphis rent is 9% cheaper than Columbus
Columbus
$1,295/mo
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $1,295 in Columbus, so Memphis is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $114, or $1,368 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
28% higher
Columbus's median income is 28% higher than Memphis
Columbus
Winner$66,082
Memphis
$51,736
Median household income is $66,082 in Columbus versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 28% higher in Columbus (about $14,346 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, Columbus 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
Columbus's crime index is 67% lower than Memphis
Columbus
Winner164 (100 = avg)
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Columbus's crime index is 164 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% lower in Columbus. 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, Columbus 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
20% more comfortable
Memphis weather is 20% more comfortable than Columbus
Columbus
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Memphis
Winner70°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Columbus averages about 59°F (67°F highs); Memphis averages about 70°F (79°F highs). Columbus averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Memphis sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Memphis scores 20% 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 Columbus 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
Columbus is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 28% higher here ($66,082). Start with Columbus if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Columbus 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 (164 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 9% 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 (70°F) beat Columbus on this page's weather index by 20%. Columbus may pay more or cost less, but Memphis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Columbus scores 45/100 versus 11/100 in Memphis. Rent is $1,295/month in Columbus and $1,181/month in Memphis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Memphis rent at $1,181/month is still below Columbus's $1,295, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Columbus and 70°F in Memphis.
Columbus is ahead on safety (45/100 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
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