Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Murfreesboro, TN
🏆 Murfreesboro leads 12 of 22 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$70,451 ✓ Higher
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.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $157k less ($170,700 vs $327,400)
Rent averages $277/mo less ($995 vs $1,272)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Murfreesboro
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Murfreesboro by $8,073/yr
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.3%)
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
40% less violent crime than Des Moines
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.3%)
Households earn $8,073 more per year on average
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,400
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Des Moines
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$157k less
$170,700 vs $327,400
Murfreesboro
Median Income
$8,073
$70,451 vs $62,378/yr
Murfreesboro
Violent Crime
40% lower
420.0 vs 703.0 per 100k
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.9% unemployment
Murfreesboro
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 89.2°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Murfreesboro, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $327,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,272 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $70,451 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 13.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 40.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Rutherford County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 89.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 55.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 153,487 |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 31.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 53.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% ✓ More | 10.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Murfreesboro's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Murfreesboro leads 12 of 22 categories. Des Moines wins 10 and Murfreesboro wins 12. 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 Des Moines to Murfreesboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $327,400 median home), income ($62,378 vs $70,451), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Murfreesboro, TN are about 553 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.