Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 40,828 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.1 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 9.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 17.1% | 7.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 7.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,097 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $427,410 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 639 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2350 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 37.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.4% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 33.8 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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