Murfreesboro TN vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 49.2 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 78.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Scottsdale
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $107,372 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 7.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $858,307 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 67.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 72.5°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
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, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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