Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 40,828 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 39.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 59.1% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.7% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 7.4% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $427,410 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 639 | Murfreesboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.3% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 53.4 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | 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
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 33.8 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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