Mobile AL 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)
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- 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
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 40,828 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.1 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 39.9% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 52.9% | 7.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $427,410 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 639 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2350 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.4% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.0% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.5% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 53.4 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 33.8 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Mobile, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mobile, ALChicago, IL vs Mobile, ALHouston, TX vs Mobile, ALMobile, AL vs Phoenix, AZMobile, AL vs Philadelphia, PA