Grand Rapids MI 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 40,828 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 39.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 9.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 17.9% | 7.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $427,410 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 37.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 58.3°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 53.4 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.8 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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