Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 40,828 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.1 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 58.4% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 29.7% | 7.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 7.4% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $427,410 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 639 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2350 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.5% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.0% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 53.4 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 33.8 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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