City comparison
Yes. Washington's crime index is 223 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 243 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and Memphis is significant: $109,870 median household versus $51,736. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,181 in Memphis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis costs less and Washington 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
Washington and Memphis are 762 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $773 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $51,736 in Memphis, down $58,134 (53%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 495 in Memphis, up 272 points (122%).
The move
Memphis and Washington are 762 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $773 a month (65%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $109,870 in Washington, up $58,134 (112%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 223 in Washington, down 272 points (55%).
Washington, DC
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 Washington and Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
Memphis rent is 40% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $1,954 in Washington, so Memphis is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $773/month back in your pocket ($9,276/year). Over five years that's $46,380 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 Washington, 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
112% higher
Washington's median income is 112% higher than Memphis
Washington
Winner$109,870
Memphis
$51,736
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 112% higher in Washington (about $58,134 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, Washington 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
55% lower crime
Washington's crime index is 55% lower than Memphis
Washington
Winner223 (100 = avg)
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Washington's crime index is 223 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% lower in Washington. 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, Washington 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
39% more comfortable
Memphis weather is 39% more comfortable than Washington
Washington
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Memphis
Winner68°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Washington averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Memphis averages about 68°F (78°F highs). Washington averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Memphis sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Memphis scores 39% 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 Washington 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
Washington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 112% higher here ($109,870). Start with Washington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Washington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than Memphis (223 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 40% 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 Washington on this page's weather index by 39%. Washington may pay more or cost less, but Memphis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Washington leads on safety (36/100 vs 11/100 in Memphis). Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,181 in Memphis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Memphis rent at $1,181/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,181 in Memphis and $1,954 in Washington.
Between Washington and Memphis, Washington is ahead on safety — 36/100 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 Washington and Memphis, plus other cities in DC and TN.
