Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 40,828 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.1 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.8% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 21.4% | 7.7% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 7.4% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $427,410 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 37.3% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 20.4% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.5% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 53.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 33.8 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
Compare More Cities
Lancaster, CA vs New York, NYLancaster, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lancaster, CAHouston, TX vs Lancaster, CALancaster, CA vs Phoenix, AZLancaster, CA vs Philadelphia, PA