Murfreesboro TN vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 38.4 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 6.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 31.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $55,339 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $39,698 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 22.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 41.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 50.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Murfreesboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 66.6 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | New Orleans, LA | 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
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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