Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 40,828 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.8% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
49.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $107,847 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $54,633 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 49.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $427,410 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 37.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.4% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.0% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 58.3°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 53.4 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 33.8 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Berkeley 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 Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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