Murfreesboro TN vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 78.3% | 61.6% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $90,685 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $47,372 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 8.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 40.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 64.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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