Murfreesboro TN vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 78.3% | 69.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $71,900 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $36,477 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 14.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 31.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $438,754 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 55.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 41.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
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, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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