Murfreesboro TN vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Waco
9.8%
Tie
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.8% | Tie |
| White | 78.3% | 54.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $51,468 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $28,819 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 24.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 28.6% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 48.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Waco
20.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 20.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 66.6°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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