Murfreesboro TN vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 78.3% | 53.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $77,041 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $40,309 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 14.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 32.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 57.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 72.1°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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