Murfreesboro TN vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 78.3% | 21.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
$41,898
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $90,038 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $41,898 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 13.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 32.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $608,357 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 52.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Richmond
503
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 58.5°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Murfreesboro +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 37.7 min | Murfreesboro + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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