Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Murfreesboro, TN
It is 2040 mi and 35h 23m from Los Angeles to Murfreesboro — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2040 mi · 35h 23m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.2% moving from Los Angeles 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 drops from $952,183 in Los Angeles to $426,292 in Murfreesboro, a 15.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 55.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.8°F vs 58.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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: CULVER CITY, CA US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.69 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 15.2% lower in Murfreesboro than Los Angeles.
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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (4.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 14.1 in.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 15.2% lower than Los Angeles (96.338 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 55.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles 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 2040 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 5.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 2040 mi and the route typically takes 35h 23m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 7 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 Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Murfreesboro, TN.