Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 40,828 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.1 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 9.8% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 14.4% | 7.7% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 7.4% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $427,410 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 639 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2350 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 58.3°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 53.4 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 33.8 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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