Murfreesboro TN vs Renton WA — 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%

Renton, WA

Washington · Population: 75,721

  • Median HH Income$162,099
  • Median Home Price$765,686
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+74.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Renton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Renton
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Renton
45.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Renton
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +

Which City is Right for You?

Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Murfreesboro & Renton