Murfreesboro TN vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 78.3% | 58.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $54,546 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $31,152 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 18.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 30.2% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 51.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 69.8°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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