Lake Charles 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)
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
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
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 40,828 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.1 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 47.3% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 42.8% | 7.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $427,410 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lake Charles, 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
Lake Charles
45.6%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.4% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 53.4 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 33.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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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