Murfreesboro TN vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 38.1 | Santa Clarita + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 78.3% | 53.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $49,571 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 39.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
72.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $802,780 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 72.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Murfreesboro +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 37.4 min | Murfreesboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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