Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Montgomery, AL
VS
Murfreesboro, TN
🏆 Montgomery leads 13 of 22 categories
Montgomery
Alabama
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,166
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High
Population
199,819 ✓ Larger
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
9
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.
Montgomery, AL
Pros
Homes cost $186k less ($141,900 vs $327,400)
Rent averages $246/mo less ($1,026 vs $1,272)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 48°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Murfreesboro
Cons
Violent crime (594.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Murfreesboro by $16,285/yr
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 4.3%)
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
29% less violent crime than Montgomery
Households earn $16,285 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 94°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,400
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Montgomery
Key Differences at a Glance
Montgomery
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Montgomery
Median Home Value
$186k less
$141,900 vs $327,400
Montgomery
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 89.2°F
Murfreesboro
Median Income
$16,285
$70,451 vs $54,166/yr
Murfreesboro
Violent Crime
29% lower
420.0 vs 594.6 per 100k
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
4.3% vs 7.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Murfreesboro, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $141,900 ✓ Lower | $327,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,026 ✓ Lower | $1,272 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,166 | $70,451 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.9 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.3% | 13.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 106⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.1% | 40.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Montgomery County | Rutherford County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer | 47.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer | 89.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.6" ✓ Drier | 55.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.3" ✓ Less | 2.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 199,819 ✓ Larger | 153,487 |
| Median Age | 36.1 ✓ Older | 31.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.5% ✓ Higher | 53.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.7% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 10.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Montgomery's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Murfreesboro's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Montgomery is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Montgomery leads 13 of 22 categories. Montgomery wins 13 and Murfreesboro wins 9. 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 Montgomery to Murfreesboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($141,900 vs $327,400 median home), income ($54,166 vs $70,451), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Montgomery, AL and Murfreesboro, TN are about 242 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.