Murfreesboro TN vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Paterson
N/A
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $527,542 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 28.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 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