Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jackson, MS
VS
Murfreesboro, TN
🏆 Jackson leads 11 of 19 categories
Jackson
Mississippi
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$42,193
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
153,271
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$70,451 ✓ Higher
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.
Jackson, MS
Pros
Homes cost $223k less ($104,900 vs $327,400)
Rent averages $292/mo less ($980 vs $1,272)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.7)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 48°F
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Murfreesboro
Cons
Median income trails Murfreesboro by $28,258/yr
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 4.3%)
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
Households earn $28,258 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.0 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,400
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Jackson
Key Differences at a Glance
Jackson
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.7 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Jackson
Median Home Value
$223k less
$104,900 vs $327,400
Murfreesboro
Median Income
$28,258
$70,451 vs $42,193/yr
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
5.0 pp lower
4.3% vs 9.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murfreesboro, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.7 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $104,900 ✓ Lower | $327,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $980 ✓ Lower | $1,272 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $42,193 | $70,451 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.3%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.3 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.2% | 13.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 105⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 111⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 96 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 40.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.3% | 93.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jackson Public Schools | Rutherford County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.4°F ✓ Warmer | 47.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.1°F ✓ Warmer | 89.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.3" ✓ Drier | 55.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 2.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,271 | 153,487 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.1 ✓ Older | 31.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 53.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 10.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jackson's cost of living index is 90.7 vs Murfreesboro's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Jackson is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Jackson leads 11 of 19 categories. Jackson wins 11 and Murfreesboro wins 8. 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 Jackson to Murfreesboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($104,900 vs $327,400 median home), income ($42,193 vs $70,451), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jackson, MS and Murfreesboro, TN are about 327 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.