Murfreesboro TN vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 57.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $52,671 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $34,792 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 19.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 28.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 51.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Roanoke
11.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 41.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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