Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 40,828 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.1 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 25.0% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 62.9% | 7.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $427,410 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Murfreesboro
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Murfreesboro
2350
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Murfreesboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 53.4 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 33.8 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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