Murfreesboro TN vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 78.3% | 16.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $48,416 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $25,509 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 10.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 24.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 17.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $482,675 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 24.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 23.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Murfreesboro +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 35.9 min | Murfreesboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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