Living in Memphis, Tennessee provides a unique, laid-back southern charm while Washington, DC offers a bustling, diverse, and political environment. Both cities have a rich historical background and cultural significance but they also have distinct features in crime, weather, cost of living, education, and other aspects. This analysis compares both cities mainly for those considering relocation but also takes into account elements relevant for tourists.
Distance between
Memphis, TN and
Washington, DC : 760.6 miles
Washington's population is larger by 7%. Its population has grown by 97,991 people (17.1%) since 2000. The population of Memphis has decreased by 21,973 people (3.4%) during that time.
Memphis has a higher crime rate than the national average and significantly higher than Washington, DC. Violent and property crime rates in Memphis are a major concern. While Washington, DC also deals with crime, the rates have been consistently falling. It's important to note that both cities have safer neighborhoods, and it's recommended to research specific areas when considering moving or visiting.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 2,628 registered sex offenders living in Memphis and 1,072 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Memphis is 248 to 1; the ratio in Washington is 635 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is much larger in Memphis than that in Washington.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is significantly lower in Memphis compared to Washington, DC. From housing to general expenses like groceries and healthcare, Memphis is more affordable. However, Washington, DC residents typically have higher salaries, which helps offset the higher cost of living.
Income Tax
Residents in Washington, DC pay a progressive income tax system while Tennessee, home to Memphis, is currently phasing out its Hall Tax on dividend and interest income and does not levy a personal income tax.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Washington, DC tend to be lower than the national average while Memphis has one of the highest property tax rates in Tennessee.
Sales Tax
The city sales tax in Memphis is 9.25%, higher than Washington, DC's sales tax rate of 6.00%. Both rates are above the national median.
Income
Type
Memphis
Washington
Estimated median household income
$44,317
$90,088
Estimated per capita income
$28,571
$65,808
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
85.5
124.2
If you make $50,000 in Memphis, you will have to make $72,632 in Washington to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Washington, DC is characterized by its low-lying position on the East Coast, with several rivers flowing through it. Memphis, on the other hand, is located on the Mississippi River and features flatter landscapes and less urban development.
Washington, DC has a strong educational infrastructure with many high-ranking schools and universities such as Georgetown and Howard University. Memphis also has good schools, particularly in the suburbs, and is home to the well-regarded University of Memphis. With DC’s rich diversity, students also have unique international and political learning opportunities.
The economy in Washington, DC is strong, fueled by the government sector, with additional contributions from education, finance, public policy, and tourism. Memphis's economy is more diversified with manufacturing, transportation, and services industries, serving as a global logistics hub.
Biggest Employers
The federal government leads as the largest employer in Washington, DC, followed by MedStar Health and George Washington University. In Memphis, FedEx, AutoZone, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are large employers.
In Memphis (Shelby County), 62.9% voted for Democrats and 36.7% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Washington (District of Columbia), 90.9% voted for Democrats and 7.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Memphis
Washington
Memphis
Washington
Memphis
Washington
2020
64.8%
92.6%
34.2%
5.4%
1.1%
2.0%
2016
62.3%
90.9%
34.7%
4.1%
3.1%
5.0%
2012
62.9%
90.9%
36.7%
7.3%
0.4%
1.8%
2008
63.8%
92.5%
36.2%
6.5%
0.0%
1.0%
2004
57.7%
89.6%
42.0%
9.4%
0.3%
1.0%
2000
56.8%
85.2%
42.3%
9.0%
0.9%
5.9%
1996
78.9%
85.2%
19.6%
9.3%
1.5%
5.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Memphis
Washington
Memphis
Washington
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.8%
4.4%
15.1%
10.3%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
6.5%
12.6%
2.7%
7.4%
EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1.5%
0.0%
0.7%
0.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
3.1%
1.8%
5.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.5%
0.7%
0.8%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.1%
1.0%
0.3%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.1%
0.6%
0.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.9%
0.9%
1.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.3%
6.2%
0.6%
10.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.5%
0.4%
2.1%
Weather
In terms of weather, Memphis experiences a humid subtropical climate with hotter summers and milder winters while Washington, DC also has a humid subtropical climate, but with cooler summers and winters that can occasionally be harsh. Both cities receive a fair amount of rainfall throughout the year.
Weather and climate
Type
Memphis
Washington
Temperature - Average
61.9°F
56.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
68.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
81%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
54.3 in
42.7 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
8.6 in
32.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.7%
15.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
68.7%
61.5%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
21%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
66%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
45%
Wind speed - Average
8.8 mph
9.7 mph
Average climate in Memphis, Tennessee
Average climate in Washington, District of Columbia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Memphis
Washington
Memphis
Washington
Memphis
Washington
Memphis
Washington
Washington
Memphis
Washington
Memphis
Washington
Memphis
Washington
2018
81
88
0.24
0.32
10.4
11.6
27.1
23.2
N/A
N/A
19.0
16.4
8.1
8.8
0.4
0.8
2017
74
84
0.24
0.32
10.2
12.3
28.1
24.9
N/A
N/A
17.5
16.5
7.9
9.8
0.3
1.0
2016
76
98
0.24
0.43
10.2
14.7
28.8
24.6
0.002
N/A
19.6
17.2
8.5
9.5
0.9
1.0
2015
77
91
0.26
0.34
11.1
14.8
26.9
26.2
0.002
N/A
N/A
17.0
9.2
10.4
1.0
1.3
2014
75
85
0.27
0.33
10.1
11.6
26.5
25.9
0.002
N/A
N/A
17.1
9.9
10.0
1.3
1.0
2013
74
88
0.31
0.34
8.3
11.7
26.6
25.6
0.002
N/A
N/A
17.3
10.2
11.6
1.0
1.0
2012
94
103
0.32
0.58
9.3
15.2
29.7
27.6
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.7
12.2
0.6
1.6
2011
93
105
0.34
0.67
10.0
15.4
29.0
27.7
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
11.4
0.5
3.1
2010
95
114
0.43
0.88
10.3
15.9
27.9
29.3
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.9
9.3
N/A
3.4
2009
86
90
0.35
0.86
8.7
16.2
24.9
24.4
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.8
7.6
N/A
4.6
2008
94
103
0.36
1.23
10.3
16.2
26.3
25.3
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.2
8.5
N/A
5.6
2007
106
113
0.47
1.17
11.2
16.8
26.7
27.1
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.8
10.4
5.6
5.1
2006
108
114
0.43
1.11
13.0
17.2
26.8
25.5
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.7
10.9
6.3
4.5
2005
110
105
0.46
0.86
10.1
20.5
26.9
22.7
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.9
11.7
4.9
4.5
2004
98
113
0.51
0.62
N/A
21.3
24.9
20.6
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.5
11.3
5.9
6.5
2003
110
108
0.57
0.90
20.1
23.6
25.3
20.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.0
12.2
5.8
8.3
2002
110
125
0.58
1.16
20.4
23.7
25.1
25.0
N/A
N/A
15.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.5
6.7
2001
111
113
0.66
1.07
24.7
23.9
26.0
22.0
0.017
N/A
22.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.1
6.7
2000
103
115
0.63
1.17
25.2
20.2
26.2
19.1
N/A
N/A
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
8.2
Natural disasters
Type
Memphis
Washington
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
198.6%
110.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
474%
42.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
19%
Transportation
Washington, DC has extensive public transportation options including the Metrorail, Metrobus, and bike-sharing systems. Memphis’s public transit is less robust but the city has made efforts to improve its bus system and light rail network.
Transport
Type
Memphis
Washington
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
1
456
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
52
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Memphis
Washington
Bicycle
0%
2%
Bus
0.4%
6.3%
Carpooled
7.5%
7.8%
Car alone
88.8%
62.5%
Railroad
0%
0.3%
Streetcar
0%
10.6%
Subway
0%
1.3%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.8%
Walked
1.2%
5.7%
Average travel time to work
Type
Memphis
Washington
Average
27 min
39.2 min
Other means
22.5 min
26 min
Public transportation
43.5 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Memphis
Washington
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
89.9%
89.4%
In 2 person carpool
7.9%
9.7%
In 3 person carpool
1.6%
0.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.4%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in Washington, DC is significantly pricier than Memphis due to high demand and limited space. In Memphis, housing is much more affordable with room for growth.
Neighborhoods
Both cities have a mix of historic and modern neighborhoods - Washington, DC with Georgetown, Adams Morgan, and Capitol Hill, and Memphis with Downtown, Midtown, and East Memphis. Each area offers varied experiences in dining, shopping, and walkability.
Houses and residents
Type
Memphis
Washington
Houses
288,491
357,482
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.1
Median year apartment built
1972
1965
Median year house/condo built
1967
1941
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16.2 years
13.5 years
Houses occupied
256,968 (89.1%)
319,565 (89.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
119,622 (46.6%)
132,936 (41.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
137,346 (53.4%)
186,629 (58.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$760.83
$2,791
Median monthly housing costs
$967
$1,817
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$201,932
$996,150
Estimated median house or condo value
$142,800
$669,900
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
3.8
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.8
3.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
6
Median house price - detached houses
$205,904
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$145,165
$471,443
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$201,411
$527,983
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$170,154
$817,288
Median house price - All housing units
$204,886
$790,542
Median house age
52
65
Renting percentage
48.1%
58%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,032.8
5,821.9
House value disparities
44.1%
26.7%
Household income disparities
48.2%
45.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$72,611
$163,111
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$53,615
$108,852
Housing units without a mortgage
1,461 (2%)
777 (0.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,970 (5.4%)
8,586 (8.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
71,386 (98%)
100,122 (99.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
322 (0.4%)
1,057 (1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,907 (8.1%)
12,793 (12.7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
16
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
5.7%
1.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
4.6%
1.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Memphis
Washington
One, detached
61.0%
11.2%
One, attached
5.8%
22.2%
Two
2.1%
2.7%
3 or 4
7.4%
6.8%
5 to 9
9.1%
7.3%
10 to 19
5.6%
8.5%
20 to 49
1.8%
7.6%
50 or more
6.2%
33.6%
Mobile homes
0.8%
0.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,111
16,654
State government workers
7,650
6,699
Unpaid family workers
668
580
Industries and Occupations
In Washington, DC, the primary industries are government, education, and professional services. In Memphis, shipping, transportation, manufacturing, and healthcare dominate the job market.
Washington, DC has an extensive healthcare sector with multiple high-ranking hospitals like MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. In Memphis, healthcare is a major industry spearheaded by facilities such as the Baptist Memorial Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Memphis
Washington
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Washington, DC boasts well-planned infrastructure, being designed purposefully as the nation's capital, with ample public spaces and national monuments. Memphis, as a historic city, has charming aesthetic features but infrastructure and development can vary across the city.
Infrastructure
Type
Memphis
Washington
Hospitals
35
114
TV stations
14
27
Arenas or stadiums
2
4
Bank branches located here
160
247
Bank institutions located here
33
34
Main business address for public companies
17
30
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
0
5
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Memphis
Washington
1999
2,195
1,328
2000
2,406
1,438
2001
1,775
935
2002
1,444
886
2003
2,116
1,319
2004
3,266
2,281
2005
4,730
2,920
2006
5,833
3,362
2007
3,559
2,548
2008
1,174
1,095
2009
345
514
Culture and Food
Washington, DC is a cultural melting pot with global influence and wide-ranging culinary experiences from Michelin-starred restaurants to food trucks. Memphis offers a rich southern culture with world-renowned barbecue and blues music.
Sports Teams
Both cities have passionate sports cultures. Washington, DC hosts teams at the pivotal point of every major sports league. Memphis's sports scene is smaller but fiercely loyal, largely centered around the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team and Memphis Tigers college football.
Memphis, TN
Washington, DC
Memphis, TN and 
Washington, DC : 760.6 miles
