Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 40,828 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 57.8% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 25.8% | 7.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $427,410 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 639 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.0% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 58.3°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 53.4 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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