Moving from Naperville, IL to Murfreesboro, TN
A move from Naperville, IL to Murfreesboro, TN covers 515 mi and around 9h 53m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
515 mi Β· 9h 53m by car Β· TN β KY β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, SR 109, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | 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 prices in Murfreesboro are 7.0% below Naperville β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Murfreesboro typical home at $426,292 is 7.0% under Naperville at $610,454 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 55.9" |
Murfreesboro runs 9.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (49.2Β°F vs 58.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Expect 2.2 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.69 |
Median household income in Murfreesboro is 7.0% below Naperville ($150,937 vs $76,241, 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β 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 Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 30.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 49.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Murfreesboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 515 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 515 mi and the route typically takes 9h 53m via I 65 and SR 109. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville 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.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 7.0% lower than Naperville (96.338 vs 103.595, 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 Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Murfreesboro, TN.