Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Murfreesboro, TN
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Murfreesboro leads 13 of 22 categories
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,451 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,487 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
35% less violent crime than Redding
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 100°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Redding
Homes cost $16k less ($327,400 vs $343,000)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Redding, CA
Pros
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.3%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Murfreesboro
Key Differences at a Glance
Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Murfreesboro
Median Income
$3,128
$70,451 vs $67,323/yr
Murfreesboro
Violent Crime
35% lower
420.0 vs 647.8 per 100k
Murfreesboro
Median Home Value
$16k less
$327,400 vs $343,000
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.9% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
10.7°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 89.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $343,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,272 ✓ Lower | $1,278 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,451 ✓ Higher | $67,323 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.3 min | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 136⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (114) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 93.9% ✓ Higher | 92.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rutherford County | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.9°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.2°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.1" | 41.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.2" | 0.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,487 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 22.5% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Murfreesboro's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Murfreesboro is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Murfreesboro leads 13 of 22 categories. Murfreesboro wins 13 and Redding 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 Murfreesboro to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,400 vs $343,000 median home), income ($70,451 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Murfreesboro, TN and Redding, CA are about 1,965 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.