The 10 Best Neighborhoods In Memphis, TN For 2024


The best Memphis neighborhoods are River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral and Cordova-Appling for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Best Neighborhoods In Memphis
Source: Wikipedia User Thomas R Machnitzki | GFDL

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 2024.

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.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


The Best Neighborhoods In Memphis For 2024

  1. River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral
  2. Cordova-Appling
  3. Windyke-Southwind
  4. Eads-Fisherville
  5. East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire
  6. Hickory Ridge-South Riverdale
  7. Midtown
  8. Raleigh
  9. Berclair-Highland Heights
  10. Downtown

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 River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral.

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:

The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Memphis

Population: 44,686
Median Home Value: $184,124 (Second best)
Median Income: $82,462 (Second best)
More on River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral: Data | Real Estate

Cordova-Appling Memphis, TN

Source: Wikipedia User | GFDL

Population: 70,645
Median Home Value: $168,247 (Third best)
Median Income: $68,405 (Third best)
More on Cordova-Appling: Data | Real Estate

Population: 2,234
Median Home Value: $286,500 (best)
Median Income: $119,571 (best)
More on Windyke-Southwind: Data | Real Estate

Population: 3,796
Median Home Value: $154,400 (Fourth best)
Median Income: $54,588 (Fifth best)
More on Eads-Fisherville: Data | Real Estate

East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire Memphis, TN

Source: Wikipedia User | GFDL

Population: 104,210
Median Home Value: $147,292 (Fifth best)
Median Income: $60,304 (Fourth best)
More on East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire: Data | Real Estate

Population: 66,172
Median Home Value: $105,147 (Eighth best)
Median Income: $49,911 (Sixth best)
More on Hickory Ridge-South Riverdale: Data | Real Estate

Population: 61,886
Median Home Value: $128,531 (Sixth best)
Median Income: $40,518 (Eighth best)
More on Midtown: Data | Real Estate

Population: 58,688
Median Home Value: $81,134 (Ninth best)
Median Income: $41,580 (Seventh best)
More on Raleigh: Data | Real Estate

Berclair-Highland Heights Memphis, TN

Source: Wikipedia User | GFDL

Population: 32,735
Median Home Value: $61,048 (13th best)
Median Income: $32,973 (11th best)
More on Berclair-Highland Heights: Data | Real Estate

Population: 48,022
Median Home Value: $112,443 (Seventh best)
Median Income: $30,027 (13th best)
More on Downtown: Data | Real Estate

Methodology: How We Determined The Best Memphis, TN Neighborhoods In 2024

To rank the best neighborhoods in Memphis, we had to determine what criteria define “best” and then apply Saturday Night Science to it.

Using FBI 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, River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral.

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.

We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Memphis.

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.

The best neighborhoods in Memphis are River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral, Cordova-Appling, Windyke-Southwind, Eads-Fisherville, East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire, Hickory Ridge-South Riverdale, Midtown, Raleigh, Berclair-Highland Heights, and Downtown.

As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Memphis aren’t all good. Parkway Village-Oakhaven takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Memphis.

The worst neighborhoods in Memphis are Parkway Village-Oakhaven, Shelby Forest-Frayser, White Haven-Coro Lake, Downtown, and Berclair-Highland Heights.

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 2024 Detailed Data

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral 44,686 $184,124 $82,462
2 Cordova-Appling 70,645 $168,247 $68,405
3 Windyke-Southwind 2,234 $286,500 $119,571
4 Eads-Fisherville 3,796 $154,400 $54,588
5 East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire 104,210 $147,292 $60,304
6 Hickory Ridge-South Riverdale 66,172 $105,147 $49,911
7 Midtown 61,886 $128,531 $40,518
8 Raleigh 58,688 $81,134 $41,580
9 Berclair-Highland Heights 32,735 $61,048 $32,973
10 Downtown 48,022 $112,443 $30,027
11 White Haven-Coro Lake 87,467 $78,449 $39,603
12 Shelby Forest-Frayser 34,345 $63,796 $30,093
13 Parkway Village-Oakhaven 38,591 $74,096 $37,738
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.