Performance
Score Breakdown
Memphis
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Memphis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
55% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Memphis's average rent is
64% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Memphis | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $3,382 | -64% |
| Groceries | $400 | $520 | -23% |
| Utilities | $250 | $370 | -32% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $2,100 | $4,652 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 55% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New York City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Memphis is estimated at
$70,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Memphis | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $51,736 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Memphis | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Memphis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Memphis | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 19.40 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Memphis.
From a growth perspective, Memphis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Memphis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Memphis | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 609,647 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Memphis
Advantages
Memphis boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, particularly renowned for its rich musical heritage and diverse culinary offerings.
Utility rates in Memphis are among the lowest in the United States, contributing to overall affordability.
The rental market exhibits strong demand and low vacancy rates, indicating a stable environment for property owners and investors.
Memphis has seen significant reductions in overall and violent crime rates in 2025, with homicides declining by 26%.
Drawbacks
Memphis has experienced a consistent population decline in recent years, with a projected negative growth rate.
The city has a very high violent crime rate, significantly above the national average, despite recent reductions.
Despite low utility rates, a high energy burden disproportionately affects low-income households.
Memphis is a car-dependent city with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Tennessee, as a state, ranks low in overall healthcare quality, which may reflect on city-level access and outcomes.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Memphis
#96Tennessee, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
55
Business
62
New York City
#64New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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