Fayetteville 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
209,692
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 40,828 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 39.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 38.3% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 42.3% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 7.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $427,410 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 53.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 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 $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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