When comparing Queens, NY to Memphis, TN, several factors come into play, including cost of living, culture, employment opportunities, and quality of life. While Queens offers a more bustling, city-life experience, Memphis provides a more laid-back, Southern charm. Both cities cater to a diverse range of residents and tourists alike, each offering unique experiences and opportunities. The following sections take a closer look at crime/safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, industries and occupations, biggest employers, real-estate, neighborhoods, transportation/public transit/commuting, city/state sales tax, city/state income tax, city/state property tax, culture/food, sports teams, geographical conditions and health care in the two cities.
In terms of crime and safety, Queens, NY has a lower crime rate than Memphis, TN. While Memphis has been making efforts to reduce crime, it unfortunately ranks higher in both property and violent crime rates than Queens. Therefore, Queens can be considered a safer option for both residents and tourists.
Cost of Living
Living in Queens can be more costly than Memphis. The cost of housing, groceries, and general expenses is significantly higher in Queens. While Memphis also has its pricier areas, generally, the cost of living is lower.
Income Tax
New York City imposes a city income tax in addition to the state income tax, while Tennessee does not have a state income tax.
Property Tax
Both cities have property taxes. In Queens, property tax rates are generally lower, while in Memphis, the property tax rate is higher.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in Queens, NY is higher at 8.875% compared to 9.25% in Memphis, TN. However, Memphis has one of the highest combined sales tax rates in the US.
Income
Type
Queens
Memphis
Estimated median household income
$73,262
$44,317
Estimated per capita income
$34,969
$28,571
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
173.2
85.5
If you make $50,000 in Memphis, you will have to make $101,287 in Queens to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Queens has a more urban environment, located on Long Island and offering coastal views. Memphis, located on the Mississippi River, boasts of parks and green spaces, including the large Shelby Farms Park.
Geographical information
Type
Queens
Memphis
Land area
109.2 sq. miles
279.3 sq. miles
Population density
20,847 people per sq. mile
2,248.8 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Queens, NY Memphis, TN
Education
Education in both cities is well-established. Queens, being part of New York City, boasts of a diverse range of public and private schools along with reputable universities. Memphis also has a strong education system, with more focus on musical and arts education.
Both cities have strong economies, with Queens boasting of diverse opportunities ranging from healthcare to tech. Memphis, has a strong economy in the services, logistics and manufacturing sectors.
Biggest Employers
In Queens, the largest employers include JetBlue Airways and Mount Sinai Queens. In Memphis, FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone are the biggest employers.
In Queens (Queens County), 79.2% voted for Democrats and 20.0% 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
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Memphis
2020
72.3%
64.8%
27.0%
34.2%
0.7%
1.1%
2016
75.4%
62.3%
21.8%
34.7%
2.8%
3.1%
2012
79.2%
62.9%
20.0%
36.7%
0.8%
0.4%
2008
75.4%
63.8%
24.3%
36.2%
0.3%
0.0%
2004
71.8%
57.7%
27.5%
42.0%
0.8%
0.3%
2000
75.2%
56.8%
22.0%
42.3%
2.8%
0.9%
1996
72.9%
78.9%
21.1%
19.6%
6.0%
1.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Memphis
CATHOLIC CHURCH
30.4%
6.5%
7.7%
2.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
0.5%
4.4%
0.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.6%
0.4%
3.4%
0.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.5%
0.3%
2.5%
0.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.8%
2.1%
1.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.1%
2.6%
0.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
14.8%
3.8%
15.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.1%
0.4%
1.8%
1.0%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.4%
0.8%
0.6%
Weather
Talking about weather, Memphis experiences more of a humid subtropical climate. Queens, on the other hand, experiences a more tempered climate due to its coastal location. Winters in Queens can be cold and snowy, while Memphis winters are typically milder.
Weather and climate
Type
Queens
Memphis
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
61.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
68.5%
74%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
25.1%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
76.3%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
51.1%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
44.5 in
54.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
52.7 in
8.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.3%
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
11.6 mph
8.8 mph
Average climate in Queens, New York
Average climate in Memphis, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Memphis
Queens
Memphis
2018
97
81
0.26
0.24
14.7
10.4
25.4
27.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.0
6.4
8.1
0.4
0.4
2017
98
74
0.23
0.24
15.4
10.2
25.8
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.5
6.4
7.9
0.5
0.3
2016
97
76
0.24
0.24
16.0
10.2
25.5
28.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.6
6.7
8.5
0.6
0.9
2015
104
77
0.26
0.26
17.4
11.1
24.1
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.9
9.2
0.8
1.0
2014
99
75
0.25
0.27
17.0
10.1
24.3
26.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
9.9
1.1
1.3
2013
101
74
0.23
0.31
17.7
8.3
25.8
26.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
10.2
1.2
1.0
2012
105
94
0.26
0.32
17.6
9.3
25.8
29.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
10.7
1.8
0.6
2011
112
93
0.27
0.34
20.4
10.0
24.2
29.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.6
11.1
2.7
0.5
2010
112
95
0.35
0.43
19.4
10.3
23.6
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.3
12.9
2.9
N/A
2009
107
86
0.24
0.35
21.0
8.7
21.0
24.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
11.8
3.4
N/A
2008
113
94
0.44
0.36
22.6
10.3
22.0
26.3
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
13.2
4.1
N/A
2007
121
106
0.46
0.47
22.9
11.2
20.2
26.7
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
14.8
4.9
5.6
2006
120
108
0.46
0.43
23.5
13.0
20.3
26.8
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.7
14.7
5.3
6.3
2005
110
110
0.54
0.46
25.5
10.1
19.7
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.9
6.7
4.9
2004
107
98
0.55
0.51
25.1
N/A
18.2
24.9
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.5
5.8
5.9
2003
110
110
0.63
0.57
26.9
20.1
18.9
25.3
0.022
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
15.0
7.0
5.8
2002
124
110
0.58
0.58
27.9
20.4
19.2
25.1
0.008
N/A
25.7
15.6
N/A
N/A
6.5
4.5
2001
124
111
0.60
0.66
28.8
24.7
19.3
26.0
0.020
N/A
24.5
22.7
N/A
N/A
7.8
6.1
2000
115
103
0.67
0.63
28.4
25.2
17.6
26.2
0.022
N/A
22.2
24.9
N/A
N/A
7.3
6.4
Natural disasters
Type
Queens
Memphis
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
54%
198.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
30.6%
474%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
18%
Transportation
Queens is known for its excellent public transit system with the subway, buses, and cabs readily available. Memphis' public transit includes buses and a trolley system, but a personal vehicle can be more convenient.
Transport
Type
Queens
Memphis
Amtrak stations
2
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
4
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
52
Means of transportation to work
Type
Queens
Memphis
Bicycle
0.3%
0%
Bus
10%
0.4%
Carpooled
10.2%
7.5%
Car alone
34.3%
88.8%
Railroad
2.2%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Subway
34.3%
0%
Taxicab
0.7%
0.1%
Walked
5.7%
1.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Queens
Memphis
Average
44 min
27 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Queens is more expensive, with high demand for residential and commercial spaces. Memphis real estate is more affordable with opportunities for investment in the Downtown and Midtown districts.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods in both cities boast unique character. Queens is known for its diverse ethnic neighborhoods, while Memphis offers a blend of cultural and historical neighborhoods.
Houses and residents
Type
Queens
Memphis
Houses
817,250
288,491
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.5
Houses occupied
782,664 (95.8%)
256,968 (89.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
334,894 (42.8%)
119,622 (46.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
447,770 (57.2%)
137,346 (53.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,666
$760.83
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$615,765
$201,932
Estimated median house or condo value
$642,000
$142,800
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.4
6.6
Renting percentage
57%
48.1%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
7,481.6
1,032.8
Household income disparities
44.9%
48.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
64,617 (34.6%)
1,461 (2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
311 (0.2%)
3,970 (5.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
122,366 (65.4%)
71,386 (98%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
9,927 (5.3%)
322 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
10,707 (5.7%)
5,907 (8.1%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1%
5.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
48,383
16,111
State government workers
21,536
7,650
Unpaid family workers
2,382
668
Industries and Occupations
Queens has diverse industries including healthcare, education, retail, and tech. Memphis is known for transportation, warehousing, and health care, with FedEx and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital being key employers.
Both cities have excellent health care facilities. Queens is home to several top-rated hospitals, while Memphis is home to the renowned St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Queens
Memphis
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Queens has more developed infrastructure with its extensive public transit system, airports, and bridges. However, Memphis also boasts of good road networks and has the world's second-busiest cargo airport.
Infrastructure
Type
Queens
Memphis
Hospitals
1
35
TV stations
30
14
Schools
School facilities
Type
Queens
Memphis
Private elementary/middle schools
8
30
Private high schools
1
24
Public elementary/middle schools
6
168
Public high schools
2
59
Colleges/Universities
1
31
Culture and Food
Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse urban areas globally, known for its wide variety of international cuisine and cultures. Memphis, known for its barbecue and soul food, also has a rich musical heritage.
Sports Teams
Both cities have a strong sports culture. Queens is home to the New York Mets and US Open Tennis Championship, while Memphis is home to the NBA's Grizzlies and the annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
Queens, NY
Memphis, TN
