Murfreesboro TN vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 78.3% | 21.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $89,150 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $28,813 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 14.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 15.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $751,711 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 47.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 22.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
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, Salinas 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 Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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