Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Murfreesboro, TN
🏆 Murfreesboro leads 13 of 22 categories
Chicago
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,451
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,487
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
Homes cost $23k less ($304,500 vs $327,400)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 89°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 4.3%)
Longer commutes — 34.1 min average each way
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.9 pts lower (4.3%)
22% less violent crime than Chicago
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,400
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Median Income
$1,222
$71,673 vs $70,451/yr
Chicago
Median Home Value
$23k less
$304,500 vs $327,400
Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Murfreesboro
Violent Crime
22% lower
420.0 vs 539.8 per 100k
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
3.9 pp lower
4.3% vs 8.2% unemployment
Murfreesboro
Summer Heat
8.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.2°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murfreesboro, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 ✓ Lower | $327,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $1,272 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $70,451 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 27.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 13.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | A- (114) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 40.5% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 93.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Rutherford County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 89.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 55.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 153,487 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 31.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 53.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 22.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 10.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Murfreesboro's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Murfreesboro is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Murfreesboro leads 13 of 22 categories. Chicago wins 9 and Murfreesboro wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chicago to Murfreesboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $327,400 median home), income ($71,673 vs $70,451), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Murfreesboro, TN are about 419 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.