Murfreesboro TN vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 78.3% | 51.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
$73,030
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $73,030 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $35,655 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 14.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 18.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
59.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 59.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Odessa
14.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 25.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 65.6°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Murfreesboro, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Murfreesboro, TNChicago, IL vs Murfreesboro, TNHouston, TX vs Murfreesboro, TNMurfreesboro, TN vs Phoenix, AZMurfreesboro, TN vs Philadelphia, PA