Living in Murfreesboro, TN

Murfreesboro is the 156th-largest city in the US, home to about 171,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 12% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (96.3 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

171,178+12% since 2020

Median home value

$402,1005.0 years of median income

Median rent

$1,481/morent plus utilities

Household income

$80,108median, per year

Price level

96.3US average = 100

January / July highs

48° / 89°lows 28° / 68°

Average commute

27 min16% work from home

State income tax

Noneon wages

Cost of living in Murfreesboro

The median home in Murfreesboro is worth $402,100 and the median household earns $80,108 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.0 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,481 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area at 96.3, with housing at 104.6 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $72,300 here. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Tennessee is 9.61%.

All items96.3

Housing104.6

Goods96.2

Utilities72.0

Other services95.1

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Murfreesboro weather

Average highs run from 48°F in January to 89°F in July, and January nights average 28°F. It gets 56 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 2 inches of snow. Expect about 48 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 89 times a year. The most comfortable months are September to October.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Murfreesboro

People and work

The median resident is 31.6 years old, and 43% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 52% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 27 minutes; 16% of workers work from home.

Median age

31.650th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

43%adults 25+

Homeowners

52%of households

People per sq mile

2,65264.5 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

0%1% walk, 0.1% bike

Unemployment

4.3%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

8.8%of residents

Typical home built

2002median year

Who moves to Murfreesboro, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Memphis (Shelby County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and Madison County, TN. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Memphis (Shelby County), Knoxville (Knox County) and Madison County, TN. See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Murfreesboro

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Museum 29 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Vanderbilt University 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Parthenon Museum 31 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Middle Tennessee State University 3 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Belmont University 29 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Nashville State Community College 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Tennessee State University 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Motlow State Community College 34 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Lipscomb University 28 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Nashville Zoo at Grassmere Zoo 24 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Cumberland University 26 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Trevecca Nazarene University 28 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Murfreesboro

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Murfreesboro

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Murfreesboro

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 9, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 20 and the first frost comes around October 27.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Murfreesboro 5 N, TN, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Murfreesboro.

Wildfire smoke in Murfreesboro

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Murfreesboro on about 133 days a year, including about 20 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Murfreesboro

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 60,683 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Murfreesboro

Downtown Murfreesboro is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Rutherford County School District (52,127 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Murfreesboro's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Murfreesboro's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• Concord, NC82% matchCompare
• Richmond, VA82% matchCompare
• Durham, NC81% matchCompare
• Raleigh, NC79% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Murfreesboro

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Obed Wild and Scenic River International Dark Sky Park 96 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Pickett Civilian Conservation Corps Memorial State Park International Dark Sky Park 103 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

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Pros and cons of living in Murfreesboro

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.
• Data The city is growing fast (+12% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.

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Cons

• Data Sales tax is high: 9.61% on average with local taxes.

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Murfreesboro report card from locals

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Cities near Murfreesboro

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Murfreesboro ranks 12th of 19 in our best suburbs of Nashville ranking.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Murfreesboro a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population, no state income tax on wages. Compare Murfreesboro side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Murfreesboro?

The Census Bureau estimates Murfreesboro had 171,178 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 152,825 in April 2020 (+12%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Murfreesboro?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $72,300 in the Murfreesboro area. The median household here earns $80,108.

When is the best time to visit Murfreesboro?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 89°F and January 48°F for daytime highs.

What county is Murfreesboro in?

Murfreesboro is in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Murfreesboro in?

Murfreesboro is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Murfreesboro?

About 610 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does Tennessee have a state income tax?

No. Tennessee does not tax wage income.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Murfreesboro. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Murfreesboro 5 N, TN station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.