City comparison
Yes. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Memphis is significant: $140,970 median household versus $51,736. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,181 in Memphis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis costs less and San Francisco 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
San Francisco and Memphis are 1,799 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $1,295 a month (52%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $51,736 in Memphis, down $89,234 (63%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 495 in Memphis, up 312 points (170%).
The move
Memphis and San Francisco are 1,799 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,295 a month (110%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $89,234 (172%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 183 in San Francisco, down 312 points (63%).
San Francisco, CA
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 San Francisco and Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
52% cheaper
Memphis rent is 52% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Memphis is 52% cheaper. That's roughly $1,295/month back in your pocket ($15,540/year). Over five years that's $77,700 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 San Francisco, 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
172% higher
San Francisco's median income is 172% higher than Memphis
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Memphis
$51,736
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 172% higher in San Francisco (about $89,234 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, San Francisco 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
63% lower crime
San Francisco's crime index is 63% lower than Memphis
San Francisco
Winner183 (100 = avg)
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 63% lower in San Francisco. 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, San Francisco 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
5% more comfortable
Memphis weather is 5% more comfortable than San Francisco
San Francisco
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Memphis
Winner64°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 97/100
San Francisco averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Memphis averages about 64°F (74°F highs). San Francisco averages around 62°F. Memphis averages around 64°F. Memphis scores 5% 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 San Francisco if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
San Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 172% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
San Francisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 63% lower than Memphis (183 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
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 52% 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 (64°F) beat San Francisco on this page's weather index by 5%. San Francisco may pay more or cost less, but Memphis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
San Francisco posts $140,970 median household income against $51,736 in Memphis. That 63% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,181 in Memphis and $2,476 in San Francisco.
San Francisco still pays more locally ($140,970 median income vs $51,736), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Francisco rates.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 11/100 in Memphis.
Most movers who prioritize local pay land in San Francisco; Memphis only makes sense when $1,181/month housing savings outweigh $140,970 median pay in your field.
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 San Francisco and Memphis, plus other cities in CA and TN.
