City comparison
No. Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 193 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
The income gap between Memphis and Atlanta is significant: $51,736 median household versus $85,652. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,181 in Memphis and $1,711 in Atlanta.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis costs less and Atlanta 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
Memphis and Atlanta are 337 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $530 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $33,916 (66%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 197 in Atlanta, down 298 points (60%).
The move
Atlanta and Memphis are 337 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $530 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $51,736 in Memphis, down $33,916 (40%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 495 in Memphis, up 298 points (151%).
Memphis, TN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Memphis and Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Memphis rent is 31% cheaper than Atlanta
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Memphis is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $530/month back in your pocket ($6,360/year). Over five years that's $31,800 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 Atlanta, 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
66% higher
Atlanta's median income is 66% higher than Memphis
Memphis
$51,736
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 66% higher in Atlanta (about $33,916 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, Atlanta 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
60% lower crime
Atlanta's crime index is 60% lower than Memphis
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Atlanta
Winner197 (100 = avg)
Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 60% lower in Atlanta. 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, Atlanta 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
12% more comfortable
Memphis weather is 12% more comfortable than Atlanta
Memphis
Winner68°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Atlanta
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Memphis averages about 68°F (78°F highs); Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Memphis sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Atlanta averages around 61°F. Memphis scores 12% 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 Atlanta if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 31% 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 Atlanta on this page's weather index by 12%. Atlanta may pay more or cost less, but Memphis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Atlanta is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 66% higher here ($85,652). Start with Atlanta if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Atlanta is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 60% lower than Memphis (197 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 Atlanta leads on safety (39/100 vs 11/100 in Memphis). Typical rent is $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,181 in Memphis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Memphis rent at $1,181/month is still below Atlanta's $1,711, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,181 in Memphis and $1,711 in Atlanta.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Atlanta; Memphis only makes sense when you have walked the Memphis ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,181 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Memphis when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Memphis and Atlanta, plus other cities in TN and GA.
