City comparison
No. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The income gap between Memphis and Anaheim is significant: $51,736 median household versus $95,227. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,181 in Memphis and $2,175 in Anaheim.
This is a genuine split. Memphis wins on cost of living and Anaheim wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Memphis and Anaheim are 1,584 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $994 a month (84%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $43,491 (84%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 143 in Anaheim, down 352 points (71%).
The move
Anaheim and Memphis are 1,584 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $994 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $51,736 in Memphis, down $43,491 (46%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 495 in Memphis, up 352 points (246%).
Memphis, TN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Memphis and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Memphis rent is 46% cheaper than Anaheim
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Memphis is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $994/month back in your pocket ($11,928/year). Over five years that's $59,640 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 Anaheim, 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 Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
84% higher
Anaheim's median income is 84% higher than Memphis
Memphis
$51,736
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 84% higher in Anaheim (about $43,491 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, Anaheim 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
71% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 71% lower than Memphis
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 71% lower in Anaheim. 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, Anaheim 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
Memphis and Anaheim are about even on typical weather.
Memphis
68°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Memphis averages about 68°F (78°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Memphis sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim sits near 76°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
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 46% 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 84% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 71% lower than Memphis (143 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.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Anaheim leads on safety (49/100 vs 11/100 in Memphis). Typical rent is $2,175 in Anaheim and $1,181 in Memphis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Anaheim still pays more locally ($95,227 median income vs $51,736), which can offset the lease if your field pays Anaheim rates.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $51,736 in Memphis.
Between Memphis and Anaheim, Anaheim is ahead on safety — 49/100 safety versus 11/100. Lean Memphis instead when you already know the Memphis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Memphis and Anaheim, plus other cities in TN and CA.
