Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Murfreesboro, TN
VS
St. Louis, MO
🏆 Murfreesboro leads 13 of 22 categories
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$70,451 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,487
St. Louis
Missouri
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,941
Violent Crime Index
360⚠ High
Population
298,018 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Murfreesboro, TN
Pros
69% less violent crime than St. Louis
Households earn $17,510 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.3%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 41°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,400
St. Louis, MO
Pros
Homes cost $153k less ($174,100 vs $327,400)
Rent averages $334/mo less ($938 vs $1,272)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (1367.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Murfreesboro by $17,510/yr
Property crime (5706.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Murfreesboro
Median Income
$17,510
$70,451 vs $52,941/yr
Murfreesboro
Violent Crime
69% lower
420.0 vs 1367.1 per 100k
Murfreesboro
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.4% unemployment
St. Louis
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 96.3 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
St. Louis
Median Home Value
$153k less
$174,100 vs $327,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Murfreesboro, TN | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 | 96.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,400⚠ High | $174,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,272 | $938 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,451 ✓ Higher | $52,941 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.3 min | 23.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 12.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 325⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 360⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 ✓ Safer | 272⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (114) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 11.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 38.6% |
| High School or Higher | 93.9% ✓ Higher | 90.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rutherford County | ST. LOUIS CITY |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer | 40.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.2°F | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.1" | 43.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.2" ✓ Less | 13.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,487 | 298,018 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% ✓ Higher | 44.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 14.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Murfreesboro's cost of living index is 97.4 vs St. Louis's 96.3 (US average = 100).
St. Louis is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Murfreesboro leads 13 of 22 categories. Murfreesboro wins 13 and St. Louis 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 St. Louis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,400 vs $174,100 median home), income ($70,451 vs $52,941), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Murfreesboro, TN and St. Louis, MO are about 285 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.