Garland TX 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)

Garland, TX

Texas · Population: 245,298

  • Median HH Income$74,717
  • Median Home Price$289,605
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+25.0%

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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Garland
37.5%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Murfreesboro
2350

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Murfreesboro
14.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Garland & Murfreesboro