Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 40,828 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.1 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 9.8% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 34.1% | 7.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.8% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 7.4% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $427,410 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.3% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.5% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.0% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 53.4 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.8 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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