Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Murfreesboro, TN
🏆 It's a dead heat — 11 categories each
Elgin
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,451
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High
Population
153,487 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
37% less violent crime than Murfreesboro
Homes cost $85k less ($242,500 vs $327,400)
Households earn $15,547 more per year on average
Rent averages $82/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,272)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 89°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 4.3%)
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 30°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,400
Median income trails Elgin by $15,547/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$15,547
$85,998 vs $70,451/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
37% lower
266.7 vs 420.0 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$85k less
$242,500 vs $327,400
Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.0% unemployment
Murfreesboro
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 89.2°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Murfreesboro, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $327,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,272 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $70,451 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 27.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 13.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 105⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 96 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 40.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 93.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Rutherford County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 89.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 55.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 153,487 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 31.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 53.1% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% ✓ More | 10.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin'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, It's a dead heat — 11 categories each. Elgin wins 11 and Murfreesboro wins 11. 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 Elgin to Murfreesboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $327,400 median home), income ($85,998 vs $70,451), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Murfreesboro, TN are about 439 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.