| Index | Murfreesboro | Tennessee | National |
| Cost of living | 109 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 135 | 80 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 97 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Murfreesboro is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Murfreesboro is 109, which is 9% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
In Murfreesboro, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Murfreesboro will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to the cost of living in Murfreesboro, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 35.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 13 residents in Murfreesboro to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 23% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 77% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Murfreesboro is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Murfreesboro, for example, the median home price is 43.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 15.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Murfreesboro boasting a median household income of $90,378, which is 11.1% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Murfreesboro, the groceries index is 2.3% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Murfreesboro are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $136,754 | $11,396 | $3,191 | $4,103 |
| Renters | $66,413 | $5,534 | $1,550 | $1,993 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Tennessee | 7% | 9.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Tennessee | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| La Vergne, TN | 36,426 | 102 | 2.0% |
| Smyrna, TN | 52,802 | 103 | 3.0% |
| Eagleville, TN | 979 | 105 | 4.8% |
| Walterhill, TN | 162 | 106 | 6.3% |
| Christiana, TN | 4,808 | 111 | 10.7% |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 146,103 | 109 | 9.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fullerton, CA | 146,103 | 175 | 75.2% |
| Syracuse, NY | 146,063 | 95 | 4.5% |
| Dayton, OH | 145,927 | 82 | 17.9% |
| Kelowna, BC | 145,612 | n/a | |
| Pasadena, CA | 146,628 | 197 | 97.1% |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 146,103 | 109 | 9.1% |