Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Murfreesboro, TN
VS
Sparks, NV
🏆 Murfreesboro leads 12 of 22 categories
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,451
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High
Population
153,487 ✓ Larger
Sparks
Nevada
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$82,938 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
104⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
108,025
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
Homes cost $96k less ($327,400 vs $423,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.3%)
Rent averages $254/mo less ($1,272 vs $1,526)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Sparks
Cons
Median income trails Sparks by $12,487/yr
Sparks, NV
Pros
6% less violent crime than Murfreesboro
Households earn $12,487 more per year on average
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $423,500
Higher rents — median is $1,526/mo
Property crime (2583.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 103.2 (100 = US avg)
Murfreesboro
Median Home Value
$96k less
$327,400 vs $423,500
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.1% unemployment
Sparks
Median Income
$12,487
$82,938 vs $70,451/yr
Sparks
Violent Crime
6% lower
394.4 vs 420.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Sparks, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 103.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $423,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,272 ✓ Lower | $1,526⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,451 | $82,938 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.3 min | 23.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 ✓ Safer | 123⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (114) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 25.4% |
| High School or Higher | 93.9% ✓ Higher | 85.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rutherford County | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.9°F | 48.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.2°F | 92.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.1" | 8.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.2" ✓ Less | 6.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,487 ✓ Larger | 108,025 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 59.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.7% | 23.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 15.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Murfreesboro's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Sparks's 103.2 (US average = 100).
Murfreesboro is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Murfreesboro leads 12 of 22 categories. Murfreesboro wins 12 and Sparks 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 Sparks or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,400 vs $423,500 median home), income ($70,451 vs $82,938), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Murfreesboro, TN and Sparks, NV are about 1,827 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.