Montgomery 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 40,828 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.1 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 27.7% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 63.0% | 7.7% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $427,410 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 639 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2350 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.4% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.5% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 53.4 in | Montgomery + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.8 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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
Montgomery, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Montgomery, ALChicago, IL vs Montgomery, ALHouston, TX vs Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL vs Phoenix, AZMontgomery, AL vs Philadelphia, PA