Murfreesboro TN vs Rapid City SD — 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%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 2.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 5.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $65,712 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $40,447 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 13.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 36.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 61.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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