Murfreesboro TN vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 78.3% | 39.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $62,789 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $35,740 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $54,550 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 15.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 28.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 48.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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