Bakersfield CA 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 40,828 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.1 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 9.8% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 6.2% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 7.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $427,410 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.4% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.0% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 53.4 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.8 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA