Moving from Knoxville, TN to Murfreesboro, TN
It is a 179 mi drive, roughly 3h 21m, between Knoxville, TN and Murfreesboro, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
179 mi · 3h 21m by car · TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 840, US 41 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.569 vs 96.338 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.1% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Knoxville | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 55.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Knoxville (57.9°F) and Murfreesboro (58.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (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: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.69 |
Murfreesboro households earn about 4.1% more than Knoxville at the median — $50,994 → $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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $50,994 in Knoxville — a 49.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 179 mi and the route typically takes 3h 21m via I 40 and I 840. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $369,216 in Knoxville — a 15.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville 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 179 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 Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 4.1% higher than Knoxville (96.338 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN · Murfreesboro, TN.