Moving from Murfreesboro, TN to Norfolk, VA
Relocating 700 mi from Murfreesboro to Norfolk is a 12h 57m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
700 mi · 12h 57m by car · VA → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 64, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Murfreesboro | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.338 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.95 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.626 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Murfreesboro and Norfolk 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 drops from $426,292 in Murfreesboro to $306,227 in Norfolk, a 1.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Murfreesboro +0.1%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Murfreesboro | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.2" | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.9" | 45.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 58.9°F vs 61.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murfreesboro | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,547 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $76,241 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 31.4 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.69 | 2.49 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.7% lower in Norfolk than Murfreesboro.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Murfreesboro vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $76,241 in Murfreesboro — a 16.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Norfolk, VA from Murfreesboro, TN?
The driving distance is 700 mi and the route typically takes 12h 57m via I 81 and I 64. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Murfreesboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,074,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Murfreesboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 1.7% higher than Murfreesboro (97.941 vs 96.338, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Murfreesboro to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 700 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Murfreesboro and Norfolk?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.4°F in Norfolk vs 58.9°F in Murfreesboro (2.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.0 in vs 2.2 in. Annual precipitation: 45.7 in vs 55.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Murfreesboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $426,292 in Murfreesboro — a 28.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Murfreesboro.
City profiles: Murfreesboro, TN · Norfolk, VA.