Brownsville TX 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 40,828 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 39.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 9.8% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 0.3% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 7.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $427,410 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.5% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 53.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 33.8 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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