Murfreesboro TN vs Surprise 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 41.6 | Murfreesboro + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 6.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $93,371 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $39,604 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 7.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 31.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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