Murfreesboro TN vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 78.3% | 61.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $871,599 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 44.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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