Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 40,828 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 36.2% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 51.0% | 7.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $427,410 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 639 | Murfreesboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Murfreesboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 53.4 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 33.8 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. 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, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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