Murfreesboro TN vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 78.3% | 55.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $53,328 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $30,409 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 8.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 21.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 23.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 53.8% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 44.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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