Moving from Independence, MO to Murfreesboro, TN
It is 573 mi between Independence and Murfreesboro — roughly 10h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
573 mi · 10h 49m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 24, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Lee S Summit, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.1% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Independence | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 55.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Murfreesboro gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.69 |
Murfreesboro households earn about 4.1% more than Independence at the median — $59,480 → $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 Missouri 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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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
How does household income compare in Independence vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $59,480 in Independence — a 28.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Independence and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 54.0°F in Independence (4.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 13.2 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 44.7 in.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 573 mi and the route typically takes 10h 49m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Independence 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 573 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 4.1% higher than Independence (96.338 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $208,158 in Independence — a 104.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO · Murfreesboro, TN.