Murfreesboro TN vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
Norman
7.2%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Norman
73.0%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 73.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Norman
46.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $65,060 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $37,897 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 17.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 46.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 52.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 60.2°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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