Murfreesboro TN vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 78.3% | 59.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $83,857 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $44,756 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 12.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 33.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $496,966 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 56.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.3% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Tacoma 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 Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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