Murfreesboro TN vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 5.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 71.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $55,902 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $33,290 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 15.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 29.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 59.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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