Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Murfreesboro, TN
It is 590 mi between Milwaukee and Murfreesboro — roughly 11h 18m 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.
590 mi · 11h 18m by car · WI → IL → IN → KY → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL → IN → KY → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 94, US 41 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Milwaukee | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Milwaukee and Murfreesboro sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $220,137 in Milwaukee to $426,292 in Murfreesboro, a 0.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Milwaukee | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 55.9" |
Annual temperature rises 10.6°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: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.69 |
Murfreesboro households earn about 0.6% more than Milwaukee at the median — $51,888 → $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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $220,137 in Milwaukee — a 93.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 814,950 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Milwaukee and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 48.3°F in Milwaukee (10.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 39.5 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 33.8 in.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance is 590 mi and the route typically takes 11h 18m via I 65 and I 94. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 0.6% lower than Milwaukee (96.338 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Milwaukee vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $51,888 in Milwaukee — a 46.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee 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 590 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI · Murfreesboro, TN.