Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Madison
73.0%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 40,828 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.1 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 9.8% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.1% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
49.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,097 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.5% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 49.5% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $427,410 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 639 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2350 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 37.3% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.9% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 20.4% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.0% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.0% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 58.3°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 53.4 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 33.8 min | Madison + |
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, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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