Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Murfreesboro, TN
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Murfreesboro leads 14 of 22 categories
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$70,451 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,487 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419
Violent Crime Index
237⚠ High
Population
114,214
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
53% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (4.3%)
Households earn $8,032 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 36°F
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 Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $180k less ($147,700 vs $327,400)
Rent averages $359/mo less ($913 vs $1,272)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Murfreesboro
Cons
Violent crime (901.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4911.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Murfreesboro by $8,032/yr
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Murfreesboro
Median Income
$8,032
$70,451 vs $62,419/yr
Murfreesboro
Violent Crime
53% lower
420.0 vs 901.2 per 100k
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.6% unemployment
Murfreesboro
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.2°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$180k less
$147,700 vs $327,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,400⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,272 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,451 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.3 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (114) ✓ Better | A- (111) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 93.9% ✓ Higher | 92.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rutherford County | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.2°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.1" | 40.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.2" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,487 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Murfreesboro's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Murfreesboro leads 14 of 22 categories. Murfreesboro wins 14 and Springfield 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 Murfreesboro to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,400 vs $147,700 median home), income ($70,451 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Murfreesboro, TN and Springfield, IL are about 324 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.