Murfreesboro TN vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 39.3 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 78.3% | 53.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Plano
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Plano
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 7.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $507,575 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 56.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Plano
9.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Plano, TX | 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
Murfreesboro +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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