Murfreesboro TN vs Nashville TN — 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Nashville
N/A
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Nashville
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $436,355 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Nashville
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Nashville
2350
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Nashville
47.9 in
Nashville +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 47.9 in | Nashville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Nashville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Nashville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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