Moving from Des Moines, IA to Murfreesboro, TN
It is 685 mi between Des Moines and Murfreesboro — roughly 13h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
685 mi · 13h 8m by car · IA → MO → IL → KY → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → IL → KY → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, IA 163, US 61 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Clarksville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $208,166 to $426,292 moving to Murfreesboro.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 55.9" |
Annual temperature rises 8.0°F moving to Murfreesboro per NOAA normals.
Murfreesboro averages 2.2 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.69 |
Households in Murfreesboro earn about 5.1% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Iowa 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 5.1% higher than Des Moines (96.338 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (8.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 36.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 685 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 Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 104.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 685 mi and the route typically takes 13h 8m via I 24 and IA 163. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 19.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Murfreesboro, TN.