Athens GA vs Murfreesboro TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Athens
57.6%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 40,828 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.8% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 26.2% | 7.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.4% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $427,410 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Athens, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 53.4 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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