Murfreesboro is the largest suburb of Nashville and the fastest-growing major city in Tennessee. Despite this growth, the cost of living in Murfreesboro is very affordable. The city has plenty of arts and culture, including a number of music events throughout the year, art exhibits, theatre arts, concerts, dances, and more. Murfreesboro is home to several museums, shopping malls, and parks. Murfreesboro is also home to Middle Tennessee State University, the largest undergraduate university in the state.
If you’re wondering how much the Murfreesboro cost of living will be for you, look at your household size, the neighborhood you are moving to, and your lifestyle to get a good idea. This guide will help you determine if Murfreesboro is affordable for you.
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Murfreesboro Cost of Living Index
The cost of living index is based on the national average, which is set at 100. When a city has a cost of living index of 90, this means the cost of living is 10% below the national average. If it’s 110, then the cost of living is 10% higher. Many factors go into this. The cost of living index considers housing, healthcare, groceries, transportation, and more. The cost of living index allows you to see how the cost of living in Murfreesboro compares to where you live now.
The overall Murfreesboro cost of living index is 95.4, which is 4.6% lower than the U.S. average. Housing in Murfreesboro is equal to the national average. The cost of groceries, transportation, goods and services, and healthcare are all between 2% and 7% below the U.S. average, making the city an affordable place to live.
Murfreesboro Consumer Price Index
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for goods and services using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This can help you determine the average cost of living in Murfreesboro. The Consumer Price Index for Murfreesboro, which is in the Southeast Region, rose 0.8% over the month and 6.9% over the past year as of January 2023. The index for all items minus energy rose 0.6% from the previous month. The energy index increased by 3.5%. The CPI for the South increased 6.9% over the previous 12 months ending in January. The food index rose 10.3%, the energy index went up 7.9%, and the index for all other items rose 7.0%.
Murfreesboro Consumer Expenditures Survey
The Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) provide data on expenditures, income, and demographics of consumers in the United States.
The CE for the South Region shows expenditures for households averaged $58,682 in 2020-21. This number was below the national average of $64,187. Housing accounted for 33% or $19,682. The national average was $22,046 or 34.3%. Transportation costs amounted to 17% or $10,483 (including gas and all other vehicle expenses) of the average household’s budget in the South Region. That was about the same as the U.S. average of $10,398 or 16.2%. Households spent 12.0%, or $7,053, on food, which is about the same as the U.S. average of 12.2%.
Family Budget Calculator (Economic Policy Institute)
The Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) Family Budget Calculator can help you figure out how much income a family needs to maintain an adequate standard of living in every county or metro area in the United States. This calculator is based on one of 10 family types (one or two adults with zero to four children).
The costs for a family of two adults and two children living in the Murfreesboro metro average $7,034 a month and $84,413 a year. The breakdown of monthly and annual costs would be:
| Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |
| Housing | $1,197 | $14,364 |
| Food | $822 | $9,859 |
| Child care | $1,166 | $13,997 |
| Transportation | $1,191 | $14,288 |
| Health care | $1,318 | $15,820 |
| Other necessities | $731 | $8,777 |
| Taxes | $609 | $7,308 |
Cost of Household Items, Food, & Groceries in Murfreesboro
Below is a list of common household items and the average consumer prices for these items in Murfreesboro, including food, phone, gas, and the average cost of utilities in Murfreesboro.
| Item | Cost |
| Steak Ribeye, 1 Pound | $13.73 |
| Milk Whole 1/2 Gallon | $2.09 |
| Eggs 1 Dozen, Grade A | $1.14 |
| Potatoes 5 Pound Bag | $3.08 |
| Bread Wheat, 1 Loaf | $3.63 |
| Beer Heineken’s 6 Pack | $9.71 |
| Movie Ticket 1st Run | $12.04 |
| McDonald’s Burger 1/4 Pounder | $4.72 |
| Average Cell Phone Bill | $189.02 |
| Average Cost of Gasoline Per Gallon | $2.506 |
| Average Murfreesboro Utilities Per Month | $142.75 |
The City of Murfreesboro Transportation Department bus fares in Murfreesboro cost $1.00 per adult and $0.50 for seniors, people with disabilities, and students 6-16. Kids 5 and under ride free. The average car insurance premium in Murfreesboro is $1,485.
Murfreesboro Real Estate Market
The Murfreesboro housing market is somewhat competitive. The average home price in Murfreesboro is $369,990 as of January 2023, down 3.3% since last year. On average, the Murfreesboro real estate market has Murfreesboro homes for sale selling after 64 days on the market, up from 11 days last year. A total of 159 homes sold in January this year, down from 264 last year.
Murfreesboro real estate are selling at 97.6% of list price, a drop of 4% from last year. The average price of a single-family home in Murfreesboro is lower than in Nashville, where the average price of a home is $424,000. In Memphis, the price is $170,750, and in Knoxville, a home costs $290,000. Property Values in Murfreesboro have been steady in Murfreesboro over the past 3 years.
The average rent for an apartment in Murfreesboro is $1,540 for a 1,003 square foot apartment. Rental prices in the city can vary greatly depending on unit type, location, and the number of bedrooms. If you haven’t decided whether to buy or rent in Murfreesboro, you can use the price-to-rent ratio to help with your decision by using the equation:
Murfreesboro Median Home Price ÷ Murfreesboro Median Annual Rent = Price-to-Rent Ratio
The higher the ratio, the better the market is for renters. The lower the ratio, the better it is for buyers. A ratio of 1 to 15 means it’s much better to buy than rent. A ratio of 16 to 20 means it’s usually better to rent than buy. A ratio of 21 or more means it’s much better to rent than buy.
The price-to-rent ratio in Murfreesboro is: $369,990 ÷ $18,480 = 20.0
Based on the price-to-rent ratio, it’s better to rent than to buy in Murfreesboro.
Murfreesboro has plenty of family-friendly neighborhoods where kids walk to school and plenty of activities are nearby. The neighborhoods are perfect for commuters working in Nashville, which is only 34 miles away, or for young professionals interested in a vibrant nightlife. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Murfreesboro to buy a home:
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- Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a beautiful, planned community with large lots, gorgeous homes ranging from 3,800 to 5,000 square feet and more, and a family-friendly atmosphere. The HOA ensures homes and yards are well maintained. Interstate I-24 is just 5 miles away. Shopping, schools, and groceries are also close by. Home prices in Breckenridge average about $825,000, but they can go up over $1,000,000.
Berkshire has all the amenities you want, including pools, a playground, a pavilion, and a variety of sports courts. This neighborhood is conveniently located between US Route 41 and Memorial Boulevard, a major thoroughfare where you’ll find lots of shopping, restaurants, markets, and more. The elementary schools are less than two miles away. Homes prices in Berkshire start at around $450,000 and go up to about $750,000, with amenities such as granite countertops, hardwood floors, spacious and private backyards, and professional landscaping. The HOA takes care of exterior maintenance and the upkeep of community amenities.
Murfreesboro Rental Market – Average Rent in Murfreesboro
The average size for an apartment in Murfreesboro is 1,003 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on the unit type, number of bedrooms, and location. The average rent in Murfreesboro is $1,540 per month. You can find both inexpensive and luxury apartments depending on your Murfreesboro rent budget.
The most affordable neighborhoods in Murfreesboro are:
- Cove at Center Point – $1,007 a month
- Poplar Village – $1,244 a month
- Condos at the Villager Apartments – $998 a month
The most expensive neighborhoods in Murfreesboro are:
- Century Autumn Wood – $1,401 a month
- Colony House Apartments – $1,300 a month
- Annandale Apartment Homes – $1,727 a month
The most popular neighborhoods in Murfreesboro are:
- Richland Falls – $1,258 a month
- Ashwood Cove II – $1,313 a month
- The Reserve at Harpers Point – $1,677 a month
Out of Reach shows you how much you can afford to pay in rent for every state in the United States without spending more than 30% of your income on housing costs, which is the accepted standard of affordability. In Tennessee, if you made the minimum wage of $7.25/hr, you would have to work 85 hours per week to afford a modest one bedroom apartment. If you spent approximately 30% of your income on rent, you could afford to pay $586/mo in rent, which is just over 1/3 of the average rental cost in Murfreesboro.
Average Salary & Household Income in Murfreesboro
The median household income in Murfreesboro $66,984. According to Payscale, the average salary in Murfreesboro is $63,000 a year. The yearly wages for some of the most popular occupations in Murfreesboro are:
- Amazon – $46,820
- Apple Home Advisor – $57,604
- Occupational Therapist – $85,484
- School Nurse – $54,625
- Dental Hygienist – $78,047
Income, Sales & Property Taxes in Murfreesboro
Here is some helpful tax information you’ll need when looking to move to Murfreesboro.
Income tax
Tennessee has no state income tax.
Sales tax
According to Sale-Tax.com, the state sales tax rate in Murfreesboro is 9.750%.
Murfreesboro Sales Tax Breakdown:
| District | Rate |
| Tennessee State | 7.000% |
| Rutherford County | 2.750% |
| Murfreesboro | 0.000% |
| Total | 9.750% |
Property tax
Property taxes are collected by the Murfreesboro Finance and Tax department. In 2022, the Murfreesboro property tax rate was $0.9526 per $100 of assessed value. Murfreesboro property taxes are below the national average of 1.07%.
Murfreesboro vs Knoxville Cost of Living
The cost of living is 15% lower in Knoxville than in the Murfreesboro Metro Area. Here are some comparisons of food, housing, healthcare, and utilities:
| Murfreesboro Metro Area | Knoxville Metro Area | |
| Grocery cost | ||
| Steak | $13.73 | $11.81 |
| Whole Milk | $2.09 | $1.88 |
| Eggs | $1.14 | $1.34 |
| Potatoes | $3.08 | $3.02 |
| Bread | $3.63 | $3.29 |
| Housing cost | ||
| Apartment Rent | $1,540 | $1,334.00 |
| Home Price | $369,990 | $383,637.00 |
| Utilities cost | ||
| Phone | $189.02 | $188.34 |
| Healthcare cost | ||
| Doctor Visit | $100.75 | $103.60 |
| Prescription Drug | $457.47 | $494.20 |
| Miscellaneous cost | ||
| Hamburger | $4.72 | $4.09 |
| Pizza | $10.16 | $9.99 |
| Movie | $12.04 | $10.36 |
| Beer | $9.71 | $9.91 |
The cost of living in Murfreesboro is fairly affordable. With beautiful neighborhoods, great schools, and plenty to do, Murfreesboro is a great place to live. If you’re moving to Murfreesboro, the best Murfreesboro movers will ensure that your move is as smooth as possible. Call us today at 615-434-8272 for your free moving quote!
