Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 40,828 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 39.9% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 46.9% | 7.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.8% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
49.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $54,633 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 49.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $427,410 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 37.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.0% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 53.4 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 33.8 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta 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). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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