Skyline of Murfreesboro
Cost of Living: 95 150,000

Murfreesboro, TN, US

Fast-growing Nashville suburb with Middle Tennessee State University and Stones River.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Murfreesboro is a city in TN with a population of 150,000. Fast-growing Nashville suburb with Middle Tennessee State University and Stones River. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The population skews young, with a median age of 31.4.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income $58,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

Murfreesboro vs US Average

Cost of Living
Murfreesboro: 95
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Murfreesboro: 100
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $58,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 150,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 210/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 32°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $350,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1200/mo

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Cost of Living

Murfreesboro's cost of living index is 95 (US average = 100).

CategoryMurfreesboroNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$350,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,500/mo
Price per Sq Ft$233

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
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$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Murfreesboro:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$98Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$43Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$10Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$291Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Murfreesboro scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 95
Rent
— $1200
Sunny Days
— 210
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 3.0%
Climate
— 90°F / 32°F
Safety
— 5.8 homicides/100k
Population
— 150,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Murfreesboro has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January52°F32°F2.5"
April75°F47°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F50°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Murfreesboro faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Dixie Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

River flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.67% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year August to May
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-May/June)
Summer Break Late May to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March or April (1 week)

State mandates 180 school days.

Demographics

The population of Murfreesboro is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
3.7%
Black or African American
16.9%
Hispanic or Latino
9.5%
Native American
0.0%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.1%
Other
0.4%
Two or more races
5.8%
White
63.6%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.1%
High school graduate
23.7%
Less than high school
6.1%
Some college
29.1%

Religion

Christian
78.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
16.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Murfreesboro, TN, US?

The cost of living index in Murfreesboro is 95, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Murfreesboro?

The median home price in Murfreesboro is $350,000. The housing index is 100.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Murfreesboro is approximately $1200/mo.

Does Murfreesboro, TN have income tax?

Murfreesboro is in TN, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro enjoys approximately 210 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 32°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.