Murfreesboro TN vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 78.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 7.7% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 3.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $76,174 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $52,125 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 11.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $561,069 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 46.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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