Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 40,828 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.1 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 9.8% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 7.4% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $427,410 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 639 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2350 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 37.3% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.4% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.5% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.0% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 53.4 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.8 min | Mesa + |
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, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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