City comparison
Yes. Denver's crime index is 271 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 272 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Memphis is significant: $94,718 median household versus $51,736. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,181 in Memphis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis costs less and Denver 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
Denver and Memphis are 877 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $650 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $51,736 in Memphis, down $42,982 (45%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 495 in Memphis, up 224 points (83%).
The move
Memphis and Denver are 877 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $650 a month (55%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $94,718 in Denver, up $42,982 (83%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 271 in Denver, down 224 points (45%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Memphis rent is 35% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $1,831 in Denver, so Memphis is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $650/month back in your pocket ($7,800/year). Over five years that's $39,000 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 Denver, 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
83% higher
Denver's median income is 83% higher than Memphis
Denver
Winner$94,718
Memphis
$51,736
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 83% higher in Denver (about $42,982 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, Denver 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
45% lower crime
Denver's crime index is 45% lower than Memphis
Denver
Winner271 (100 = avg)
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Denver's crime index is 271 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% lower in Denver. 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, Denver 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
9% more comfortable
Memphis weather is 9% more comfortable than Denver
Denver
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Memphis
Winner68°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Memphis averages about 68°F (78°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Memphis sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Memphis scores 9% 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 Denver 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
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 83% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Denver is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 45% lower than Memphis (271 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 35% 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 Denver on this page's weather index by 9%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Memphis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Pay is the headline: Denver median income is $94,718 versus $51,736 in Memphis (45% higher). Rent still runs $1,831/month in Denver and $1,181/month in Memphis, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches Denver rates.
Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $51,736), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Denver and 11/100 in Memphis.
If local pay drives your move, Denver is the stronger match ($94,718 median income against $51,736). If an employer or family tie already points to Memphis, treat $1,181/month rent and $51,736 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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