Murfreesboro TN vs Pasadena CA — 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pasadena
67,231
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 67,231 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 42.5 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 78.3% | 48.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
3.7%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
5.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 5.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $1,215,642 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 54.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Pasadena
503
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 67.0°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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