Murfreesboro TN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 78.3% | 39.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $106,287 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 14.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $580,173 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 41.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 24.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 32.8 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while murfreesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,410. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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