Murphysboro is a small town of 7,101 in Illinois, with a median household income of $41,535
and a 8.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Murphysboro stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Murphysboro is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Murphysboro city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 87.2
Murphysboro's overall cost of living index is 87.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Murphysboro costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Murphysboro, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$80,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$758
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
47.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,535
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Murphysboro's violent crime rate is 332.2 per 100,000 residents
— 13% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
332.2 /100k
Property Crime
3134.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Murphysboro is served primarily by Tri-County Sp Ed Jnt Agreement.
Metric
Murphysboro, IL
National Avg
School District
Tri-County Sp Ed Jnt Agreement
—
Elementary Schools
N/A
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Murphysboro sees average highs of 41.7°F in January
and 88.4°F in July,
with 46.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 9.9 inches of snow per year.
Murphysboro's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Murphysboro roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $80,200 and median rent is $758/month.
Murphysboro's violent crime rate is 332.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3134.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Murphysboro are operated by Tri-County Sp Ed Jnt Agreement.
The district has several elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
20.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Murphysboro, IL has a population of 7,101, a median household income of $41,535, and an unemployment rate of 8.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Murphysboro averages 41.7°F in January and 88.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.7 inches
with about 9.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Murphysboro, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 62966.
The population of Murphysboro, Illinois is 7,101 with a median age of 40.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Murphysboro: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $80,200, median household income $41,535, crime index 112 (100 = US average, lower is safer). Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Murphysboro side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
