Murfreesboro TN vs Waukegan IL — 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%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 33,889 | Murfreesboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 78.3% | 61.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $97,263 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $49,019 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 5.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 46.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 65.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 40.2% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 21.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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