Memphis, Tennessee, steeped in rich history and culture, presents a unique blend of the old-time charm of the South with modern urban development. Northwest Harris, Texas, suburban yet thriving, offers a family-oriented living experience alongside a robust economy. From crime rates to education, sports teams to healthcare, each locale possesses its unique set of advantages and challenges. Here we explore the differences and similarities between these two locations, taking into account their various characteristics such as weather, cost of living, and economy. This comparison might prove essential for individuals considering relocation or for those just looking to visit.
Memphis does have higher crime rates compared to Northwest Harris. Efforts to curb crime in Memphis have seen some progress, but safety remains a serious concern. In contrast, Northwest Harris generally maintains a safer environment and has lower crime rates, making it more secure for both residents and tourists.
Cost of Living
Generally, the cost of living in Memphis is lower than in Northwest Harris, making it an attractive option for those considering relocation. This includes categories like housing, groceries, and healthcare. Northwest Harris, while pricier, offers a higher median household income, which might offset some of the higher costs.
Income Tax
Neither Memphis nor Northwest Harris imposes a city income tax, and both Tennessee and Texas do not have a state income tax, offering potential savings for residents.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Texas are significantly higher than in Tennessee, impacting housing costs in Northwest Harris. Memphis residents enjoy a much lower property tax rate, which contributes to the affordability of homes.
Sales Tax
Both Tennessee and Texas have no state income tax, making either location attractive from a tax standpoint. However, Memphis has a higher overall sales tax, with state and local combined, compared to Northwest Harris.
Income
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Estimated median household income
$44,317
$91,482
Estimated per capita income
$28,571
$43,231
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
85.5
102.4
If you make $50,000 in Memphis, you will have to make $59,883 in Northwest Harris to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Memphis, located on the Mississippi River, is relatively flat with fertile soil. Northwest Harris, located inland from the Gulf Coast, has a somewhat flat topography, ideal for agriculture and suburban development.
Geographical information
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Land area
279.3 sq. miles
437.4 sq. miles
Population density
2,248.8 people per sq. mile
1,061.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Memphis, TN Northwest Harris, TX
Education
Both areas have multiple well-respected school districts and higher education opportunities. Memphis is home to the University of Memphis and Rhodes College, among others. Northwest Harris houses branches of the Lone Star College System, offering a variety of undergraduate and specialty programs.
Memphis has a diverse economy with strong sectors in transportation, logistics, and healthcare. Conversely, Northwest Harris has seen significant growth in oil and gas exploration, healthcare, and manufacturing. Both offer job opportunities but in varied sectors.
Biggest Employers
Memphis' biggest employers include FedEx, International Paper, and AutoZone. In contrast, Northwest Harris, as part of the Greater Houston area, sees significant employment from oil and gas giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron, as well as the acclaimed Texas Medical Center.
In Memphis (Shelby County), 62.9% voted for Democrats and 36.7% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northwest Harris (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Memphis
Northwest Harris
2020
64.8%
56.0%
34.2%
42.7%
1.1%
1.3%
2016
62.3%
54.0%
34.7%
41.6%
3.1%
4.4%
2012
62.9%
49.4%
36.7%
49.3%
0.4%
1.3%
2008
63.8%
50.5%
36.2%
48.9%
0.0%
0.6%
2004
57.7%
44.6%
42.0%
54.9%
0.3%
0.5%
2000
56.8%
43.0%
42.3%
54.4%
0.9%
2.6%
1996
78.9%
45.2%
19.6%
49.2%
1.5%
5.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Memphis
Northwest Harris
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.8%
14.2%
15.1%
26.8%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
6.5%
18.1%
2.7%
3.6%
EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1.5%
0.0%
0.7%
0.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
1.0%
1.8%
1.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.5%
2.9%
0.8%
1.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.7%
1.0%
1.5%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.1%
0.6%
0.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
0.9%
1.7%
Weather
Memphis has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Tornadoes are a potential risk due to its location within the Southern Tornado Alley. On the other hand, Northwest Harris resides in a humid subtropical zone too - it experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters, but with a higher threat of hurricanes due to proximity to the Gulf Coast.
Weather and climate
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Temperature - Average
61.9°F
68.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
54.3 in
48.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
8.6 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.7%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
68.7%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
43%
Wind speed - Average
8.8 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Memphis, Tennessee
Average climate in Northwest Harris, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Memphis
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Memphis
Northwest Harris
2018
81
95
0.24
N/A
10.4
5.1
27.1
23.5
19.0
N/A
8.1
8.7
0.4
N/A
2017
74
94
0.24
N/A
10.2
4.7
28.1
25.2
17.5
N/A
7.9
8.5
0.3
0.5
2016
76
93
0.24
N/A
10.2
5.7
28.8
23.7
19.6
N/A
8.5
8.5
0.9
0.4
2015
77
100
0.26
N/A
11.1
6.1
26.9
23.1
N/A
N/A
9.2
9.3
1.0
0.1
2014
75
88
0.27
0.28
10.1
6.7
26.5
22.3
N/A
N/A
9.9
9.6
1.3
0.1
2013
74
104
0.31
0.29
8.3
6.6
26.6
23.7
N/A
N/A
10.2
10.3
1.0
0.1
2012
94
107
0.32
0.30
9.3
7.1
29.7
24.8
N/A
N/A
10.7
10.6
0.6
0.2
2011
93
115
0.34
0.32
10.0
6.8
29.0
27.0
N/A
N/A
11.1
11.3
0.5
0.6
2010
95
104
0.43
0.26
10.3
7.5
27.9
25.0
N/A
N/A
12.9
11.1
N/A
0.8
2009
86
114
0.35
0.27
8.7
6.8
24.9
25.1
N/A
N/A
11.8
11.0
N/A
0.9
2008
94
104
0.36
0.35
10.3
8.0
26.3
24.5
N/A
N/A
13.2
11.9
N/A
1.4
2007
106
123
0.47
0.37
11.2
9.1
26.7
23.2
N/A
N/A
14.8
13.0
5.6
1.7
2006
108
130
0.43
0.39
13.0
9.0
26.8
25.0
N/A
N/A
14.7
11.6
6.3
1.5
2005
110
132
0.46
0.42
10.1
9.7
26.9
25.3
N/A
N/A
17.9
13.3
4.9
2.6
2004
98
125
0.51
0.44
N/A
10.0
24.9
22.9
N/A
N/A
14.5
N/A
5.9
2.8
2003
110
144
0.57
0.62
20.1
10.8
25.3
23.5
N/A
N/A
15.0
N/A
5.8
2.4
2002
110
124
0.58
0.55
20.4
10.5
25.1
22.5
15.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.5
1.5
2001
111
148
0.66
0.44
24.7
12.0
26.0
22.2
22.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.1
2.0
2000
103
133
0.63
0.50
25.2
10.8
26.2
23.0
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
198.6%
179.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
474%
67.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
32%
Transportation
Memphis operates an extensive bus system, trolley lines, and many interstates and highways are accessible. Conversely, Northwest Harris relies primarily on road transportation due to its suburban nature, but it benefits from Metropolitan Transit Authority services linking it with downtown Houston.
Transport
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
1
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
52
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Bicycle
0%
0.1%
Bus
0.4%
2.5%
Carpooled
7.5%
11.3%
Car alone
88.8%
81.5%
Walked
1.2%
0.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Average
27 min
31.3 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Memphis is significantly more affordable than in Northwest Harris, with a lower median home price. However, Northwest Harris offers a more contemporary housing style and newer constructions.
Neighborhoods
Memphis neighborhoods encapsulate a wide range of lifestyles, from the bustling Downtown to the quiet, family-friendly East Memphis. Northwest Harris' neighborhoods offer a comfortable, suburban lifestyle with conveniences and amenities typical of larger cities due to its proximity to Houston.
Houses and residents
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
Houses
288,491
149,181
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.9
Houses occupied
256,968 (89.1%)
141,708 (95%)
Houses occupied by owners
119,622 (46.6%)
100,076 (70.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
137,346 (53.4%)
41,632 (29.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$760.83
$1,182
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$201,932
$300,799
Estimated median house or condo value
$142,800
$307,883
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.8
3.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
7.5
Renting percentage
48.1%
28.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,032.8
341.1
Household income disparities
48.2%
38.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,461 (2%)
15,158 (16.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,970 (5.4%)
105 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
71,386 (98%)
76,541 (83.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
322 (0.4%)
3,826 (4.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,907 (8.1%)
4,244 (4.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
5.7%
0.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,111
12,608
State government workers
7,650
7,312
Unpaid family workers
668
552
Industries and Occupations
In Memphis, healthcare, transportation, and logistics dominate the industry scene, contributing significantly to job opportunities. Northwest Harris, being part of the Houston metropolitan area, offers vast opportunities in the oil and gas industry, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Both have prominent healthcare sectors with renowned facilities. Memphis' Baptist Memorial Healthcare and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare serve the region. Northwest Harris residents have access to care from the Houston Methodist system, among others.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Memphis boasts well-developed infrastructure highlighted by the Memphis International Airport, one of the busiest cargo airports globally. Northwest Harris, though more suburban, enjoys close proximity to Houston's amenities and infrastructural facilities.
Infrastructure
Type
Memphis
Northwest Harris
TV stations
14
27
Culture and Food
Memphis is known for its rich culture and history, famous for its music scene and delectable southern cuisine, especially barbecue. Northwest Harris, while more suburban, benefits from the diverse culture and food scene of Houston, showcasing a rich culinary landscape with influences from various cultures.
Sports Teams
Memphis is home to NBA's Grizzlies and minor league baseball's Redbirds. Northwest Harris residents enjoy proximity to major league teams in Houston, such as the Astros (MLB), Texans (NFL), and Rockets (NBA).
Memphis, TN
Northwest Harris, TX
Memphis, TN and 
Northwest Harris, TX : 479.9 miles
