Meridian ID 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)
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
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
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 40,828 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 39.1 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 84.3% | 78.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 7.4% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 3.5% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
74.9%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $427,410 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 74.9% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 639 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2350 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 37.3% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.9% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.4% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.0% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.0% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 33.8 min | Meridian + |
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, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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