Murfreesboro TN vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 54.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $52,512 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $29,511 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,697 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 22.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 29.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 58.8% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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