Moving from Abilene, TX to Murfreesboro, TN
It is 870 mi between Abilene and Murfreesboro — roughly 15h 24m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
870 mi · 15h 24m by car · TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney, Garland, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.6% above Abilene — 90.364 → 96.338 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 55.9" |
Annual temperature drops 7.0°F moving to Murfreesboro per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Murfreesboro gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.69 |
Murfreesboro households earn about 6.6% more than Abilene at the median — $62,720 → $76,241 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murfreesboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 151,390 | $44,110 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 122,460 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 97,370 | $30,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 87,620 | $35,950 |
| Management Occupations | 87,180 | $106,770 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Murfreesboro averages 55.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 6.6% higher than Abilene (96.338 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 870 mi and the route typically takes 15h 24m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 21.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Murfreesboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 870 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 103.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 65.9°F in Abilene (7.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 25.2 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Murfreesboro, TN.