Murfreesboro TN vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 42.5 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 78.3% | 40.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
5.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 5.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $449,058 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 71.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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