Chattanooga TN 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)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 40,828 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.1 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 58.4% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $427,410 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Murfreesboro
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Murfreesboro
2350
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.4% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 53.4 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.8 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. 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, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA