Murfreesboro TN vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 41.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $46,628 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $30,451 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 26.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 29.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 37.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 38.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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