Fayetteville AR 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)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
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
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 40,828 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 39.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 75.6% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 7.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
49.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 49.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $427,410 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 639 | Murfreesboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Murfreesboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 58.3°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 53.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 33.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. 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, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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