City comparison
Yes. Houston's crime index is 270 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 294 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $1,361 in Houston.
Safety is where Houston and Memphis split most clearly. Houston scores 225 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,361 in Houston and $1,181 in Memphis.
This is a genuine split. Houston wins on the job market and safety and Memphis wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Houston has rougher pockets and Memphis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Houston and Memphis are 484 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $180 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $51,736 in Memphis, down $13,077 (20%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 495 in Memphis, up 225 points (83%).
The move
Memphis and Houston are 484 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $1,361 a month in Houston, up $180 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $64,813 in Houston, up $13,077 (25%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 270 in Houston, down 225 points (45%).
Houston, TX
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 Houston and Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
13% cheaper
Memphis rent is 13% cheaper than Houston
Houston
$1,361/mo
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $1,361 in Houston, so Memphis is 13% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,160, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Memphis still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Houston.
Planning to buy in Houston? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Houston's median income is 25% higher than Memphis
Houston
Winner$64,813
Memphis
$51,736
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Houston (about $13,077 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, Houston 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
Houston's crime index is 45% lower than Memphis
Houston
Winner270 (100 = avg)
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Houston's crime index is 270 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% lower in Houston. 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, Houston 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
Neck and neck
Houston and Memphis are about even on typical weather.
Houston
77°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Memphis
70°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Houston averages about 77°F (85°F highs); Memphis averages about 70°F (79°F highs). Houston sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Memphis sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Houston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 25% higher here ($64,813). Start with Houston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Houston 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 (270 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
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 13% 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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Houston: Houston scores 30/100 versus 11/100 in Memphis, with typical rent at $1,361 versus $1,181. I would vet the exact ZIP in Memphis before trading 19 safety points for housing savings.
Memphis rent at $1,181/month is still below Houston's $1,361, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,181 in Memphis and $1,361 in Houston.
If safety drives your move, Houston is the stronger match (30/100 safety versus 11/100). 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
Open full neighborhood reports for Houston and Memphis, plus other cities in TX and TN.
