Murfreesboro TN vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 78.3% | 70.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $88,792 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 12.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $538,687 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 52.8% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 78.3 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 26.5 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 355 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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