Murfreesboro TN vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murfreesboro
40,828
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murfreesboro
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Murfreesboro
39.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Murfreesboro
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,828 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 78.3% | 58.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 7.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,847 | $67,544 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,633 | $35,825 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 19.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 34.1% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,410 | $435,532 | Murfreesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 42.4% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
639
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
2350
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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