Dayton OH 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 40,828 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.1 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 51.3% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 38.0% | 7.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $427,410 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Murfreesboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 20.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.5% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 58.3°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 53.4 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 33.8 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. 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, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Dayton, OH vs New York, NYDayton, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dayton, OHDayton, OH vs Houston, TXDayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZDayton, OH vs Philadelphia, PA