Murfreesboro TN vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
St. Charles
71,542
St. Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 71,542 | St. Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 4.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 7.7% | 6.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $55,578 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $31,499 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 18.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 22.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 61.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Charles, MO | 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
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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