2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Murphysboro, IL vs Normal, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Normal older or younger than people in Murphysboro?
- The Median Age in Normal is 13.8 years younger than in Murphysboro.

Are housing costs cheaper in Normal or Murphysboro?
- Normal housing costs are 132.9% more expensive than Murphysboro housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Normal or Murphysboro?
- The average commute for residents of Normal is 3.2 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Murphysboro.

Things to do in Murphysboro?
Living in Murphysboro, IL is a great experience. The small town has a lot of charm and a close-knit community feel. There are lots of outdoor activities to enjoy, from hiking and biking on the trails at Giant City State Park to visiting the wineries and exploring the local winery trail. The downtown area is filled with unique shops, restaurants, and cafes where you can find anything from antiques to delicious cuisine. The city also offers lots of family-friendly events throughout the year, such as the annual apple festival, fireworks festivals, and many other fun activities. Overall, living in Murphysboro is an enjoyable experience where you can enjoy all that nature has to offer while still having easy access to the amenities of larger cities like St Louis and Nashville when needed.

Things to do in Normal?
Normal, Illinois is a vibrant city located in McLean County, just north of Bloomington-Normal. It is home to Illinois State University and has a bustling downtown area with numerous shops, restaurants, and businesses. Normal is a major hub in the region for healthcare, finance and education opportunities. There are abundant recreational options including natural areas, parks and trails that offer plenty of outdoor activities. A variety of cultural amenities are also available such as theater performances, festivals, art galleries and other entertainment venues that give residents something to do in their spare time. Normal is truly a wonderful place where people can come together to work, play, learn and live!

 Murphysboro, ILNormal, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock53,446329,725,481
 Median Income$38,949  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock25.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$90,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.4%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.02  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Murphysboro    5 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

We moved to Murphysboro, IL from unincorporated Hinsdale, Timberlake area and love it down here. I grew up in Burr Ridge my entire life. Murphysboro has so many outdoors  More

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I have worked here for two years as a school teacher. However, I do live in another community. I have come to appreciate and admire the strong community spirit and  More

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I've lived in this town for my whole life and there are some ups and downs for this town, like where some people lives are really hostile and stuff but other places in  More

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Reviews for Normal    5 Reviews

While not a perfect town by any stretch of the imagination, I have lived in Normal my entire life and I have to say that there are FAR worse places one could live. The  More

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Over 16 years ago

I would like to know more about the quality of education at Illinois State  More

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With relatively low crime, good schools and excellent access to higher education, Normal is a great place to raise a family. The city is trying to update its city center  More

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