Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 40,828 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 72.9% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 17.4% | 7.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
49.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $54,633 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 49.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $427,410 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 37.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 20.4% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 53.4 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 33.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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