Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Durham
44.0%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 40,828 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.1 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 9.8% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 34.4% | 7.7% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.8% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 7.4% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
49.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 49.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $427,410 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Durham, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.3% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.4% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.0% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.5% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 58.3°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 53.4 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 33.8 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham 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 Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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