Murfreesboro TN vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 47,823 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 78.3% | 62.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $50,294 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $28,418 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,141 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 24.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 19.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 66.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 834 | Murfreesboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3177 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Murfreesboro, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Murfreesboro, TNChicago, IL vs Murfreesboro, TNHouston, TX vs Murfreesboro, TNMurfreesboro, TN vs Phoenix, AZMurfreesboro, TN vs Philadelphia, PA