Murfreesboro TN vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 78.3% | 36.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $60,698 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $37,669 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 8.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 22.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 34.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 52.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Murfreesboro +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 34.5 min | Murfreesboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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