Murfreesboro TN vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 78.3% | 70.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $74,925 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $49,642 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 13.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $580,126 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 46.8% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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