Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 40,828 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 39.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 49.9% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 39.5% | 7.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $427,410 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.4% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 53.4 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 33.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia 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 Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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