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City comparison

New York, NY vs Memphis, TN

Climate is the sharpest divide between New York and Memphis. New York averages 71°F while Memphis averages 87°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $2,910 versus $1,274.

Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis costs less and New York 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 $1,274 average has pockets that run $1,074 and others at $1,674: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full New York reportFull Memphis report

New York, NY

Rent
2,910/mo
Median income
76,607
Crime index
153
Schools
A-
Weather
71°F

Memphis, TN

Rent
1,274/mo
Median income
59,621
Crime index
150
Schools
A-
Weather
87°F

Rent

56% cheaper

Memphis rent is 56% cheaper than New York

New York

$2,910/mo

Memphis

Winner

$1,274/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,274 a month in Memphis versus $2,910 in New York, so Memphis is 56% cheaper. That's roughly $1,636/month back in your pocket ($19,632/year). Over five years that's $98,160 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 New York, 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.

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Median income

28% higher

New York's median income is 28% higher than Memphis

New York

Winner

$76,607

Memphis

$59,621

What this means for your life

Median household income is $76,607 in New York versus $59,621 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 28% higher in New York (about $16,986 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, New York 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

2% lower crime

Memphis's crime index is 2% lower than New York

New York

153 (100 = avg)

Memphis

Winner

150 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Memphis's crime index is 150 versus 153 in New York (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Memphis. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Memphis, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in New York. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

Neck and neck

New York and Memphis are about even on school scores.

New York

A- · 84/100

Memphis

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in New York, A- in Memphis). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

64% more comfortable

New York weather is 64% more comfortable than Memphis

New York

Winner

71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

Memphis

87°F avg · 99°F highs · comfort 61/100

What this means for your life

New York averages about 71°F (77°F highs); Memphis averages about 87°F (99°F highs). New York sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Memphis runs very hot summers (highs near 99°F), which means indoor living for large stretches of the year. New York scores 64% 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 Memphis if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose New York

Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access

It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 28% higher ($76,607), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

Open the New York report →

Fit check

Who should choose Memphis

Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy

Memphis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 56% cheaper here at about $1,274 a month. Choose Memphis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Memphis is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than New York (150 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.

Open the Memphis report →

Bottom line

New York vs Memphis: Our Take

New York and Memphis split the scoreboard, so this page tips to Memphis as the stronger default package for most movers.

Memphis's typical rent runs 56% lower than New York ($1,274/month vs $2,910/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: New York's median household income is 28% higher ($76,607 vs $59,621), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

The decision comes down to whether you value cost of living more than the job market. For most middle-income movers, Memphis is the stronger choice.

Common questions

New York vs Memphis FAQ

Is New York cheaper than Memphis?
No. Memphis is cheaper: typical rent is $1,274 a month versus $2,910 in New York (56% lower). Median household income is $76,607 in New York compared with $59,621 in Memphis, so New York has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, New York or Memphis?
Memphis is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 150 versus 153 in New York (2% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, New York or Memphis?
School composites are close: A- in New York and A- in Memphis. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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