Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 40,828 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 84.0% | 78.3% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $427,410 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Murfreesboro
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Murfreesboro
2350
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Murfreesboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 37.3% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.5% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.8 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. 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, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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