Brooklyn, New York, and Memphis, Tennessee, are dynamic American cities with distinct characteristics. They have their unique charms and challenges. Brooklyn is renowned for its exciting, vibrant urban life, cultural richness, and historical legacy. On the other hand, Memphis offers southern charm, slower pace of life, music heritage, and lower living costs. This overview aims to provide a comprehensive comparison encompassing various aspects across crime/safety, weather, cost of living, education, and more to aid those contemplating relocation or vacation.
While crime rates in both Brooklyn and Memphis are generally higher than the national average, it's essential to note that safety can vary greatly depending upon the specific neighborhood. Brooklyn has witnessed a significant reduction in crime rate over the past years, though some neighborhoods still struggle with crime. Memphis, on the other hand, is known for a higher crime rate compared to other cities its size. However, the city administration is tirelessly working to enhance safety measures.
Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in Brooklyn is substantially higher than that of Memphis, primarily due to housing costs. Everything from groceries to healthcare is more expensive in Brooklyn. An individual moving from Brooklyn to Memphis would experience a significant relief in their cost of living expenses.
Income Tax
New York has a state income tax, with rates ranging from 4% to 8.82%. Tennessee, on the other hand, does not tax individual wage income.
Property Tax
In Brooklyn, the average property tax rate is 0.90%. Memphis, in contrast, has a higher property tax rate, averaging around 1.54%.
Sales Tax
New York City sales tax rate is 8.875%, which applies in Brooklyn. In contrast, Memphis, Tennessee, has a sales tax rate of 9.25%.
Income
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Estimated median household income
$67,567
$44,317
Estimated per capita income
$39,536
$28,571
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.4
85.5
If you make $50,000 in Memphis, you will have to make $108,421 in Brooklyn to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Brooklyn is located on the western end of Long Island and is surrounded by water, providing beautiful coastlines. Memphis, located along the Mississippi River, features relatively flat terrain with some hills.
Geographical information
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Land area
70.6 sq. miles
279.3 sq. miles
Population density
35,956 people per sq. mile
2,248.8 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Brooklyn, NY Memphis, TN
Education
Both Brooklyn and Memphis house excellent educational institutions at all levels. Brooklyn, being part of New York City, has an extensive and varied system of schools and colleges. Memphis's education system is undergoing continuous improvement, with various programs to enhance academics' quality and accessibility.
Job opportunities differ greatly. Brooklyn has a diverse economy with strengths in sectors like finance, healthcare, and professional services. Memphis is known for jobs in transportation, logistics, and healthcare, with FedEx being among the city’s largest employers.
Biggest Employers
Brooklyn is home to several large employers, including JPMorgan Chase & Co and the New York City government. In Memphis, FedEx, the local government, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are among the largest employers.
In Brooklyn (Kings County), 82.1% voted for Democrats and 16.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Memphis (Shelby County), 62.9% voted for Democrats and 36.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Memphis
2020
76.9%
64.8%
22.2%
34.2%
1.0%
1.1%
2016
79.6%
62.3%
17.5%
34.7%
2.9%
3.1%
2012
82.1%
62.9%
16.9%
36.7%
0.9%
0.4%
2008
79.9%
63.8%
20.1%
36.2%
0.0%
0.0%
2004
75.0%
57.7%
24.3%
42.0%
0.7%
0.3%
2000
81.0%
56.8%
15.7%
42.3%
3.3%
0.9%
1996
80.1%
78.9%
15.1%
19.6%
4.9%
1.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Memphis
CATHOLIC CHURCH
24.9%
6.5%
7.5%
2.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.8%
0.5%
4.2%
0.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.9%
0.3%
3.8%
0.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
1.0%
0.4%
5.2%
0.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.7%
0.8%
2.3%
1.8%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
14.8%
2.4%
15.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.4%
0.6%
1.0%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.4%
0.1%
0.6%
Weather
Brooklyn experiences a full range of seasons, with cold winters requiring heavy coats and hot, humid summers necessitating air conditioning. Memphis enjoys a milder climate, with warm summers and mild winters. For outdoor enthusiasts, Memphis’s weather can be more appealing due to its longer warm season.
Weather and climate
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Temperature - Average
55.1°F
61.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
68.7%
74%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.1%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
76.8%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50.7%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
46.5 in
54.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
53.4 in
8.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.7%
19.7%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
68.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
50%
Wind speed - Average
10.6 mph
8.8 mph
Average climate in Brooklyn, New York
Average climate in Memphis, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Memphis
Brooklyn
Memphis
2018
93
81
0.31
0.24
16.8
10.4
24.2
27.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.0
7.0
8.1
0.4
0.4
2017
95
74
0.25
0.24
17.0
10.2
24.5
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.5
7.1
7.9
0.3
0.3
2016
93
76
0.31
0.24
17.7
10.2
24.8
28.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.6
7.2
8.5
0.5
0.9
2015
100
77
0.38
0.26
18.2
11.1
24.1
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.0
9.2
0.7
1.0
2014
95
75
0.38
0.27
18.5
10.1
23.5
26.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
9.9
0.9
1.3
2013
96
74
0.41
0.31
18.9
8.3
24.4
26.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
10.2
1.0
1.0
2012
98
94
0.44
0.32
18.3
9.3
24.4
29.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.2
10.7
1.6
0.6
2011
107
93
0.43
0.34
20.7
10.0
23.6
29.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.3
11.1
2.4
0.5
2010
112
95
0.43
0.43
19.4
10.3
24.7
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
12.9
2.3
N/A
2009
104
86
0.43
0.35
21.5
8.7
20.7
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
11.8
3.1
N/A
2008
109
94
0.47
0.36
22.6
10.3
21.3
26.3
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.8
13.2
4.1
N/A
2007
121
106
0.53
0.47
23.5
11.2
20.8
26.7
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.4
14.8
4.8
5.6
2006
116
108
0.61
0.43
24.2
13.0
20.7
26.8
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
14.7
5.7
6.3
2005
107
110
0.74
0.46
26.1
10.1
19.6
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.9
7.5
4.9
2004
106
98
0.74
0.51
25.8
N/A
18.5
24.9
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.5
7.1
5.9
2003
107
110
0.81
0.57
27.4
20.1
18.4
25.3
0.021
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
15.0
7.4
5.8
2002
122
110
0.76
0.58
27.9
20.4
19.9
25.1
0.008
N/A
26.2
15.6
N/A
N/A
6.5
4.5
2001
121
111
0.80
0.66
29.5
24.7
22.3
26.0
0.020
N/A
27.3
22.7
N/A
N/A
7.8
6.1
2000
115
103
0.92
0.63
29.8
25.2
20.3
26.2
0.022
N/A
22.2
24.9
N/A
N/A
7.4
6.4
Natural disasters
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
56.4%
198.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
30.8%
474%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
17%
18%
Transportation
Brooklyn boasts superb public transportation with the comprehensive MTA system. Memphis also offers public transit, but car ownership is more common.
Transport
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
149
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
52
Means of transportation to work
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Bicycle
0.5%
0%
Bus
10.4%
0.4%
Carpooled
8%
7.5%
Car alone
22.4%
88.8%
Railroad
1.4%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Subway
44.8%
0%
Taxicab
0.7%
0.1%
Walked
8.8%
1.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Average
44.5 min
27 min
Real Estate
The Brooklyn real estate market is one of the most expensive in the country, with a median home price significantly above the national average. Memphis, by contrast, has a very affordable real estate market.
Neighborhoods
Both cities boast diverse neighborhoods. In Brooklyn, neighborhoods like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights are sought-after, while in Memphis, spots like Midtown and Collierville attract residents and tourists alike.
Houses and residents
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Houses
930,866
288,491
Average household size (people)
2.7
2.5
Houses occupied
880,727 (94.6%)
256,968 (89.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
238,290 (27.1%)
119,622 (46.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
642,437 (72.9%)
137,346 (53.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,589
$760.83
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,621,117
$201,932
Estimated median house or condo value
$793,300
$142,800
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.6
4.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.2
6.6
Renting percentage
72.3%
48.1%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
13,184
1,032.8
Household income disparities
48.5%
48.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
29,251 (32.9%)
1,461 (2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
183 (0.2%)
3,970 (5.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
59,793 (67.1%)
71,386 (98%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
4,512 (5.1%)
322 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,098 (5.7%)
5,907 (8.1%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
5.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
45,971
16,111
State government workers
27,527
7,650
Unpaid family workers
2,234
668
Industries and Occupations
Industries in Brooklyn are diverse, with many working in healthcare, education, professional services, and retail. In contrast, Memphis's economy revolves around trade, transportation, utilities, and health and education services.
Both Brooklyn and Memphis host reputable healthcare institutions. Brooklyn is home to world-renowned hospitals like New York-Presbyterian and Mount Sinai. Memphis houses the St.Jude Children's Research Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital, serving as regional healthcare hubs.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Brooklyn showcases urban infrastructure, with skyscrapers, historic buildings, and dense residential areas. Memphis, however, is more spread out, with a mix of city structures and suburban neighborhoods.
Infrastructure
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Hospitals
104
35
TV stations
29
14
Bank branches located here
271
160
Bank institutions located here
41
33
Main business address for public companies
9
17
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
12
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
75
4
Schools
School facilities
Type
Brooklyn
Memphis
Private elementary/middle schools
151
30
Private high schools
128
24
Public elementary/middle schools
405
168
Public high schools
176
59
Colleges/Universities
48
31
Culture and Food
Both cities are rich in culture and cuisine. Brooklyn is known for its diverse culture, with a plethora of ethnic cuisines, art galleries, music venues, and festivals. Memphis is famous for its blues music, BBQ food, and hospitality.
Sports Teams
Brooklyn is home to the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and NHL's New York Islanders, while Memphis hosts the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and the AAA baseball team Memphis Redbirds.
Brooklyn, NY
Memphis, TN
Brooklyn, NY and 
Memphis, TN : 951.6 miles
