Murfreesboro TN vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 78.3% | 39.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $88,575 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $33,716 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 12.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 25.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $648,603 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 56.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 66.8°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Murfreesboro +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 34.1 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, Riverside 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 Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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