Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 40,828 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.1 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 46.4% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 39.4% | 7.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 7.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $427,410 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 639 | Murfreesboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.4% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.5% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 53.4 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.8 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. 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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