Lubbock TX 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 40,828 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 39.1 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 64.6% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 8.3% | 7.7% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 7.4% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $427,410 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.3% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.4% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 53.4 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 33.8 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. 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, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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