Town in Hall County

Living in Memphis, TX

B+

204th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 72 of 100

Memphis gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 204th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on internet access and jobs and income. It is a strong pick for families and people on a budget.

  • Good for families
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Short commutes
  • Jobs and income scores low (10 of 100)
  • Health scores low (17 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Memphis isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthMemphis
Where Memphis is in Texas.
Population
1,969-3.7% since 2020
Median rent
$49165% lower than Texas
Median home value
$77,30073% lower than Texas
Household income
$47,639Median
Average commute
14 minOne way
Violent crime
196Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Memphis

Memphis is a town in Hall County. 1,969 people lived here in 2025, down 3.7% from 2020. It is spread out, with an older housing stock (the median home dates to 1962).

The median age is 40.6, 35% of households have children, 73% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $47,639 a year (39% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Memphis

  • Strong public schools. 100% of the 3 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Low violent crime. 196 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 49% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $491, 65% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.6 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 14 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Memphis

  • Higher unemployment. 10% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 78% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Memphis suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 49% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 81% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 39% lower than the Texas median, with 11 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 55% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 21% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 49% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 79% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 78% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $491 is 65% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 40% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $491 is 65% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 89% for people on a budget.

Memphis report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Memphis with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade A+

    Median rent $491, homes cost 1.6x income.

    98 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $47,639, 10% unemployed.

    10 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A-

    3 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    85 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade C+

    196 violent crimes per 100k, 147 property crimes per 100k.

    55 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    1 grocery store, 11 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B-

    Average commute 14 min, 1.4% work from home.

    57 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D+

    20% have a bachelor’s degree.

    25 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D

    21% of adults uninsured.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    73% of homes owner-occupied.

    27 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    78% of homes have broadband.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

Where Memphis stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $49165% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 1.6x55% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 14 min48% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Median household income: $47,63939% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20%13 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 78%13 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Memphis

Memphis renters pay a median of $491 a month, 65% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $20,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 34% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $794 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $77,300, 73% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $423 before tax, or $510 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Memphis pays $1,045 a year, 75% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in MemphisStudio$7711 bedroom$7942 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,461
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Hall County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent65% lower than Texas$491$1,403$1,413
Median home value73% lower than Texas$77,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income55% lower than Texas1.6x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent17 points lower than Texas34%52%51%
Median property tax per year75% lower than Texas$1,045$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them10 points higher than Texas73%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$510
Mortgage payment
$423
Property tax
$87
Median rent, for comparison
$491

Based on a $77,300 home in Memphis, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Memphis safe?

In 2025, Memphis Police Department reported 4 violent crimes and 3 property crimes. That works out to 196 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 49% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 147 property crimes per 100,000, 93% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 23% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Memphis by yearTexas19620212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
196
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
147
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Memphis by yearTexas14720212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Memphis Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Memphis

Memphis has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Memphis ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Austin Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 88 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
85
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
88
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • AAustin ElementaryElementary, Memphis ISD91 of 100
  • BMemphis High SchoolHigh, Memphis ISD87 of 100
  • BMemphis MiddleMiddle, Memphis ISD87 of 100

Daily life in Memphis

Everyday places mapped inside Memphis, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Memphis Public Library.

The average one-way commute is 14 minutes, 48% shorter than the Texas average. 1% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

The median household income is $47,639, income per person is $25,023, unemployment is 10% and 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
11
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
1
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income39% lower than Texas$47,639$78,476$80,734
Income per person39% lower than Texas$25,023$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points higher than Texas10%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line4 points higher than Texas17%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points lower than Texas20%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher4 points lower than Texas82%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insuranceAbout the same as Texas21%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet13 points lower than Texas78%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute48% lower than Texas14 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home13 points lower than Texas1.4%14%15%
Workers who work from home1.4%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Memphis

Under 1823%
18 to 3419%
35 to 6433%
65 and over25%

Median age 40.6 years. 35% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White51%
Hispanic or Latino37%
Black4.8%
Asian0.5%
Other or more than one race6.8%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Memphis

Memphis has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 25°F. There are about 101 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 22 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Memphis20°40°60°80°100°53J57F66M75A83M92J96J95A87S75O64N54DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Memphis, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Memphis

    Nearby, Wellington gets an A, Clarendon gets an A- and Childress gets a C+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. AWellingtonTown, 1,883 people20 mi
    2. A-ClarendonTown, 1,859 people24 mi
    3. C+ChildressTown, 5,834 people26 mi
    4. D+ShamrockTown, 1,710 people38 mi
    5. BPaducahTown, 1,077 people51 mi
    6. B-WheelerTown, 1,431 people52 mi

    Living in Memphis: common questions

    Is Memphis, TX a good place to live?

    Memphis gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 204th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on internet access and jobs and income. It is a strong pick for families and people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Memphis?

    Renters in Memphis pay a median of $491 a month, 65% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $77,300, 73% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.6x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $510, including property tax.

    Is Memphis safe?

    In 2025, Memphis Police Department reported 196 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 49% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 147 per 100,000, 93% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Memphis?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Memphis. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 85 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Memphis?

    Summers in Memphis peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 25°F. Expect around 101 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 22 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Memphis?

    The average one-way commute is 14 min, 48% lower than the Texas average. About 1.4% of workers work from home.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.