Murfreesboro TN vs Naperville IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 40.1 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 78.3% | 64.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
4.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 4.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
74.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $618,452 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 74.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Naperville
33.8 min
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 33.8 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. 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, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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