CCCityCheck
SafetyCostCitiesProvidersSearch

Memphis vs Detroit: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Detroit is 26% safer. Detroit has more comfortable months (5 vs 4). Memphis population: 609,647. Detroit population: 649,095.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingTie
SafetyDetroit
WeatherDetroit
HousingDetroit

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Memphis vs Detroit

CategoryMemphisDetroit
Overall Index8585
Housing$1,388/moIndex: 78$1,335/moIndex: 75
Groceries$390/moIndex: 95$402/moIndex: 98
Transportation$343/moIndex: 98$357/moIndex: 102
Healthcare$314/moIndex: 98$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$202/moIndex: 92$220/moIndex: 100

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Memphis vs Detroit

Detroit is 26% safer overall, with a crime rate of 55 per 1,000 residents vs Memphis's 74. Detroit earns a F safety grade compared to Memphis's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.

F

Memphis

Tennessee

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate74/1K
TrendDeclining
F

Detroit

Michigan

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate55/1K
TrendDeclining
MetricMemphisDetroit
Overall Crime Rate74/1K55/1K
Violent Crime Rate1900.01900.0
Property Crime Rate5500.03600.0
Murder Rate27.926.3
Assault Rate1402.41355.2
Robbery Rate312.8316.4
Burglary Rate763.2534.9
Theft Rate4760.52903.9
Vehicle Theft Rate1296.8387.8

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Memphis, you have a 1 in 14 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 18 in Detroit.

Climate: Memphis vs Detroit

Memphis Climate Overview

Annual High72.5°F
Annual Low53.4°F
Annual Rain52.1"
Annual Snow3.0"
Comfortable Months4
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Detroit Climate Overview

Annual High59.1°F
Annual Low41.4°F
Annual Rain33.7"
Annual Snow40.8"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

MemphisDetroitHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
MetricMemphisDetroit
Avg Annual High72.5°F59.1°F
Avg Annual Low53.4°F41.4°F
Annual Rain52.1"33.7"
Annual Snow3.0"40.8"
Comfortable Months45
Freezing Months14

Memphis is 9°F warmer in summer than Detroit, but Detroit is 12°F colder in winter than Memphis. Detroit gets significantly more snow (41" vs 3"). Memphis is wetter with 52" of annual rain compared to 34". Detroit has more comfortable weather months (5 vs 4).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Memphis cheaper than Detroit?
Memphis and Detroit have very similar costs of living (index 85 vs 85, where 100 is the national average). Day-to-day expenses are comparable in both cities.
Is Memphis safer than Detroit?
Detroit is 26% safer overall, with a crime rate of 55 per 1,000 residents vs Memphis's 74. Detroit earns a F safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Which city has better weather, Memphis or Detroit?
Memphis is 13.399999999999999°F warmer on average as Detroit. Detroit has more comfortable months (5 vs 4). Annual snow: Memphis gets 3", Detroit gets 41".
Should I move to Memphis or Detroit?
It depends on your priorities. Detroit is safer (F grade). Memphis is more affordable (index 85 vs 85). Detroit has better year-round weather. Memphis has a population of 609,647 and Detroit has 649,095. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Memphis compared to Detroit?
Memphis has a population of 609,647 and Detroit has 649,095. Detroit is 6% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Memphis or Detroit?
Housing is cheaper in Detroit. Estimated monthly housing costs: Memphis $1,388/mo vs Detroit $1,335/mo. That's based on a housing index of 78 vs 75 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

F
Memphis Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
F
Detroit Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety, cost of living, climate, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities