Moving from Joliet, IL to Murfreesboro, TN
It is 504 mi between Joliet and Murfreesboro — roughly 9h 39m 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.
504 mi · 9h 39m by car · TN → KY → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 80, SR 109 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.0% moving from Joliet to Murfreesboro — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $259,875 in Joliet to $426,292 in Murfreesboro, a 7.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 55.9" |
Annual temperature rises 8.5°F moving to Murfreesboro per NOAA normals.
Expect 2.2 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.69 |
Households in Murfreesboro earn about 7.0% less 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 Illinois 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 much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 64.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 13.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 7.0% lower than Joliet (96.338 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Joliet 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 504 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 50.4°F in Joliet (8.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 38.0 in.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 504 mi and the route typically takes 9h 39m via I 65 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Murfreesboro, TN.