The 10 Best Neighborhoods In Memphis For 2022


We used science and data to determine which neighborhoods in Memphis are the best of the best.

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Memphis is in the headlines far too often. Unfortunately, it's usually because of situations that have made it one of the most dangerous cities in the country--we're just going to leave here... But, because we think that Memphis hasn't always gotten a fair shake, HomeSnacks decided to shed some light on the great things that the Birthplace of Rock-n-Roll can offer: we've created a list of the best neighborhoods in Tennessee's second largest city for 2022.

Memphis might have a naughty side--really, what city doesn't--but, there are some great neighborhoods that deserve special recognition. But before we begin handing out awards, we need to tell you how we ranked each neighborhood. First, we looked at the latest census data for median income levels and affordability-specifically, how much do homes cost in each neighborhood. We then looked at the things that most people find important when determining where they want to buy their forever home--is the neighborhood safe? Are there jobs? And, is there a lot to do?

We discovered some interesting neighborhood facts that might even surprise the people who currently live in Memphis. For instance, East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire might not have a shiny exterior, but once inside this neighborhood, you are greeted with friendly people, great BBQ, and a sense of pride and community. And the Midtown doesn't need a shiny bow either, because this place has classic, affordable Tennessee homes for less than $100,000, and it's a great place to catch a jazz festival or take in an art exhibit at Brooks Museum.

So, want to know where it's safe to "go walkin' in Memphis"? You can start in Memphis' number one best neighborhood. But, to get to this list, you're going to have to keep reading.

Where some might see the result of hard times, we see opportunity--a diamond in the rough so to speak. And, folks, what Memphis lacks in fancy, it makes up for with "Grit and Grind--it is, afterall, The Grizzlies' team motto, and this has carried over into the city. So, if you want to be part of something greater than you--if you're ready to make your mark, take a look at Memphis' best neighborhoods.

So, what is the best neighborhood in Memphis? According to the latest data-including our SnackAbility report, that would be Windyke-Southwind.

Maybe with a little TLC, Memphis can shoot for this list next year. Until then, take a look below at where the rest of Memphis' neighborhoods ranked.

For more Tennessee reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods In Memphis

The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Memphis

Population: 10,884
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $275,875 (best)
Median Income: $85,767 (best)
More on Windyke-Southwind: Homes For Sale | Data

Population: 83,223
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $143,825 (Fourth best)
Median Income: $65,003 (Third best)
More on Cordova-Appling: Homes For Sale | Data

Cordova-Appling Memphis, TN

Population: 14,121
Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $197,233 (Second best)
Median Income: $77,857 (Second best)
More on Eads-Fisherville: Homes For Sale | Data

Population: 42,038
Rank Last Year: 4 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $169,116 (Third best)
Median Income: $64,831 (Fourth best)
More on River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral: Homes For Sale | Data

Population: 107,753
Rank Last Year: 5 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $133,731 (Fifth best)
Median Income: $47,789 (Fifth best)
More on East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire: Homes For Sale | Data

East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire Memphis, TN

Population: 92,024
Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $90,668 (Seventh best)
Median Income: $45,212 (Sixth best)
More on Hickory Ridge-South Riverdale: Homes For Sale | Data

Population: 54,460
Rank Last Year: 7 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $68,098 (Ninth best)
Median Income: $37,105 (Seventh best)
More on Raleigh: Homes For Sale | Data

Population: 62,752
Rank Last Year: 8 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $96,608 (Sixth best)
Median Income: $34,572 (Ninth best)
More on Midtown: Homes For Sale | Data

Population: 33,880
Rank Last Year: 9 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $54,679 (12th best)
Median Income: $29,979 (11th best)
More on Berclair-Highland Heights: Homes For Sale | Data

Berclair-Highland Heights Memphis, TN

Population: 88,153
Rank Last Year: 10 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $69,690 (Eighth best)
Median Income: $34,319 (Tenth best)
More on White Haven-Coro Lake: Homes For Sale | Data

Methodology: How We Determined The Best Memphis, TN Neighborhoods In 2022

In order to rank the best neighborhoods in Memphis, we had to determine what criteria defines a "best".

Using crime, census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:

  • High incomes
  • Low unemployment rates
  • Low crime
  • High home prices
  • High population densities (A proxy for things to do)

We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 13 in each category, where 1 was the best.

Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.

And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index the "Best City Neighborhood In Memphis." We're lookin' at you, Windyke-Southwind.

Read on below to learn more about what it's like to live in the best places Memphis, Tennessee has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city from best to worst.

Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Memphis

If you're measuring the neighborhoods in Memphis where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Memphis aren't all good. Shelby Forest-Frayser takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Memphis.

We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.

For more Tennessee reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods To Live In Memphis For 2022 Detailed Data

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Windyke-Southwind 10,884 $275,875 $85,767
2 Cordova-Appling 83,223 $143,825 $65,003
3 Eads-Fisherville 14,121 $197,233 $77,857
4 River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral 42,038 $169,116 $64,831
5 East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire 107,753 $133,731 $47,789
6 Hickory Ridge-South Riverdale 92,024 $90,668 $45,212
7 Raleigh 54,460 $68,098 $37,105
8 Midtown 62,752 $96,608 $34,572
9 Berclair-Highland Heights 33,880 $54,679 $29,979
10 White Haven-Coro Lake 88,153 $69,690 $34,319
11 Downtown 48,441 $56,744 $25,786
12 Parkway Village-Oakhaven 39,436 $61,991 $34,723
13 Shelby Forest-Frayser 34,652 $52,119 $24,694

Editor's Note: We updated this article for 2022. This is our ninth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Memphis.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.