Is Dallas cheaper than Memphis?

No. Memphis is cheaper: typical rent is $1,274 a month versus $1,931 in Dallas (34% lower). Median household income is $63,985 in Dallas compared with $59,621 in Memphis, so Dallas has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Dallas or Memphis?

Dallas is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 127 versus 150 in Memphis (15% 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, Dallas or Memphis?

School composites are close: A- in Dallas and A- in Memphis. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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City comparison

Dallas, TX vs Memphis, TN

Climate is the sharpest divide between Dallas and Memphis. Dallas averages 94°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 $1,931 versus $1,274.

Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis costs less and Dallas 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 $1,274 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 Dallas report Full Memphis report

Dallas, TX

Rent: 1,931/mo
Median income: 63,985
Crime index: 127
Schools: A-
Weather: 94°F

Memphis, TN

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

Rent

34% cheaper

Memphis rent is 34% cheaper than Dallas

Dallas

$1,931/mo

Memphis

Winner

$1,274/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,274 a month in Memphis versus $1,931 in Dallas, so Memphis is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $657/month back in your pocket ($7,884/year). Over five years that's $39,420 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 Dallas, 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

7% higher

Dallas's median income is 7% higher than Memphis

Dallas

Winner

$63,985

Memphis

$59,621

What this means for your life

Median household income is $63,985 in Dallas versus $59,621 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Dallas (about $4,364 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.

Crime index

15% lower crime

Dallas's crime index is 15% lower than Memphis

Dallas

Winner

127 (100 = avg)

Memphis

150 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Dallas's crime index is 127 versus 150 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Dallas. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Dallas, 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

Dallas and Memphis are about even on school scores.

Dallas

A- · 84/100

Memphis

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Dallas, 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

97% more comfortable

Memphis weather is 97% more comfortable than Dallas

Dallas

94°F avg · 104°F highs · comfort 31/100

Memphis

Winner

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

What this means for your life

Dallas averages about 94°F (104°F highs); Memphis averages about 87°F (99°F highs). Dallas often hits 104°F highs, so expect heavy AC use and limited outdoor time in summer. Memphis runs very hot summers (highs near 99°F), which means indoor living for large stretches of the year. Memphis scores 97% 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 Dallas 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 Dallas

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Dallas is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% higher here ($63,985). Start with Dallas if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Dallas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 15% lower than Memphis (127 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.

Open the Dallas report →

Fit check

Who should choose Memphis

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 34% 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.

Pick Memphis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (87°F) beat Dallas on this page's weather index by 97%. Dallas may pay more or cost less, but Memphis is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Open the Memphis report →

Bottom line

Dallas vs Memphis: Our Take

Dallas and Memphis split the scoreboard, so this page tips to Memphis as the stronger default package for most movers.

Memphis's typical rent runs 34% lower than Dallas ($1,274/month vs $1,931/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: Dallas's median household income is 7% higher ($63,985 vs $59,621), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

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

Common questions

Dallas vs Memphis FAQ

Is Dallas cheaper than Memphis?: No. Memphis is cheaper: typical rent is $1,274 a month versus $1,931 in Dallas (34% lower). Median household income is $63,985 in Dallas compared with $59,621 in Memphis, so Dallas has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Dallas or Memphis?: Dallas is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 127 versus 150 in Memphis (15% 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, Dallas or Memphis?: School composites are close: A- in Dallas and A- in Memphis. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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