Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 40,828 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 39.1 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.8% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 4.8% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
49.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $107,847 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $54,633 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.5% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 4.1% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 49.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $427,410 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 639 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2350 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 37.3% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 20.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 11.0% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.5% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.0% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 58.3°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 53.4 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 33.8 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA