City comparison
No. Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 31 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $2,014 in Frisco.
The income gap between Memphis and Frisco is significant: $51,736 median household versus $150,212. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,181 in Memphis and $2,014 in Frisco.
This is a genuine split. Memphis wins on cost of living and Frisco 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 Frisco are 411 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $2,014 a month in Frisco, up $833 a month (71%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $150,212 in Frisco, up $98,476 (190%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 43 in Frisco, down 452 points (91%).
The move
Frisco and Memphis are 411 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,014 a month in Frisco to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $833 a month (41%).
Median household income goes from $150,212 in Frisco to $51,736 in Memphis, down $98,476 (66%).
The crime index goes from 43 in Frisco to 495 in Memphis, up 452 points (1051%).
Memphis, TN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Frisco, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Memphis and Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
41% cheaper
Memphis rent is 41% cheaper than Frisco
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Frisco
$2,014/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $2,014 in Frisco, so Memphis is 41% cheaper. That's roughly $833/month back in your pocket ($9,996/year). Over five years that's $49,980 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 Frisco, 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 Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
190% higher
Frisco's median income is 190% higher than Memphis
Memphis
$51,736
Frisco
Winner$150,212
Median household income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 190% higher in Frisco (about $98,476 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, Frisco 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
91% lower crime
Frisco's crime index is 91% lower than Memphis
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Frisco
Winner43 (100 = avg)
Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 91% lower in Frisco. 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, Frisco 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 Frisco are about even on typical weather.
Memphis
68°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Frisco
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Memphis averages about 68°F (78°F highs); Frisco averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Memphis sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Frisco sits near 68°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 41% 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
Frisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 190% higher here ($150,212). Start with Frisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Frisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 91% lower than Memphis (43 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Frisco: Frisco scores 86/100 versus 11/100 in Memphis, with typical rent at $2,014 versus $1,181. I would vet the exact ZIP in Memphis before trading 75 safety points for housing savings.
Memphis rent at $1,181/month is still below Frisco's $2,014, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,181 in Memphis and $2,014 in Frisco.
Frisco clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Memphis deserves a serious look only 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 Frisco, plus other cities in TN and TX.
