Murfreesboro TN vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 41.3 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 78.3% | 59.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $67,521 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $34,474 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 11.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 22.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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