Murfreesboro TN vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 4.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 49.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 5.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $48,536 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $31,324 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 23.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 38.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 45.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 42.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 21.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.7% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Murfreesboro +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 65.0°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 55.0 in | Murfreesboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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