Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Murfreesboro, TN
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Murfreesboro leads 12 of 22 categories
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,451 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,487 ✓ Larger
Pasadena
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High
Population
150,620
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.6 pts lower (4.3%)
26% less violent crime than Pasadena
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $5,753 more per year on average
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,400
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $156k less ($171,600 vs $327,400)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 48°F
Rent averages $113/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,272)
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 4.3%)
Median income trails Murfreesboro by $5,753/yr
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Murfreesboro
Key Differences at a Glance
Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Murfreesboro
Median Income
$5,753
$70,451 vs $64,698/yr
Murfreesboro
Violent Crime
26% lower
420.0 vs 566.1 per 100k
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
4.3% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$156k less
$171,600 vs $327,400
Pasadena
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.9°F vs 89.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 100.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,400⚠ High | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,272 | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,451 ✓ Higher | $64,698 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.3 min | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 134⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (114) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 93.9% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rutherford County | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.9°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.2°F | 92.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.1" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,487 ✓ Larger | 150,620 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 32.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.7% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 11.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Murfreesboro's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Murfreesboro is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Murfreesboro leads 12 of 22 categories. Murfreesboro wins 12 and Pasadena wins 10. 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 Murfreesboro to Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,400 vs $171,600 median home), income ($70,451 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Murfreesboro, TN and Pasadena, TX are about 663 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.