Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 40,828 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 39.1 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.8% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 8.8% | 7.7% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 7.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,097 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $427,410 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 639 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2350 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.4% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.5% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 53.4 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 33.8 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Lakeland, FL vs New York, NYLakeland, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakeland, FLHouston, TX vs Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL vs Phoenix, AZLakeland, FL vs Philadelphia, PA