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Living in Murfreesboro, TN

Mid-size city in Tennessee

Murfreesboro is a mid-size city in Tennessee, home to about 158,000 people, with 1.3 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, most trips are by car. Life moves at a relaxed pace, and homes are mostly apartments.

Is Murfreesboro a good place to live? Pros and cons

👍 Pros

  • Low taxes: no state income tax, 0.59% property tax
  • Strong healthcare: 9 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
  • Low natural disaster risk: 6 federally declared disasters since 2000
  • Easy flying: BNA is 24 mi away

👎 Cons

  • Fewer outdoor escapes: no big hills or water close by
  • Quieter on culture: few museums and attractions nearby
  • Smaller job market: about 1.3 million people live within 31 mi
  • Cloudier than most places

Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Murfreesboro ranks against your own priorities.

Key facts

Population
158,000
1.3 million within 31 mi
Winter / summer highs
51°F / 88°F
Average daily highs · 2″ snow a year
3-bedroom home
$389k
Typical value (Zillow)
3-bedroom rent
$2,210/mo
Incl. utilities (HUD)
Cost of living
96
US average = 100 (BEA)
Taxes
No income tax
State income tax per resident · 0.59% property tax
Safety
1.1× US
Violent crime vs US (FBI 2019)
Natural disasters
6 since 2000
Declared in the county · mainly flooding, cold waves
Top-rated hospitals
9
4–5★ within 31 mi (CMS)
Adults with a degree
41%
2 research universities within 31 mi
Nearest major airport
BNA
24 mi away

Living in Murfreesboro: common questions

What is the cost of living in Murfreesboro?

A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $389k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,210 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are below the US average (index 96, where the US is 100).

What are taxes like in Murfreesboro?

Tennessee has no state income tax, and homeowners here pay about 0.59% of their home's value in property tax each year.

Is Murfreesboro safe?

Violent crime is close to the national rate (1.1× in FBI 2019 data).

What is the weather like in Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro has cool winters: winter days average around 51°F and summer days around 88°F, with roughly 2″ of snow a year.

Does Murfreesboro get natural disasters?

Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from flooding, cold waves and earthquakes: 6 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 1.07 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.

What is the nearest major airport to Murfreesboro?

The nearest major airport is BNA, about 24 mi away.

How Murfreesboro scores

Each bar compares Murfreesboro with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).

🏙️City size Mid-size Major metroSmall town
🏘️Urban or quiet Urban & suburban mix Dense & urbanQuiet / rural
🚶Getting around Mostly car Walk & transitCar essential
🌲Culture or nature Strong culture scene Culture & nightlifeNature on the doorstep
🌡️Climate Cool winters Warm all yearLong, snowy winters
💰Cost of living Affordable Very expensiveVery affordable
⏱️Pace Relaxed Very fast-pacedSlow & calm
🤝Community Anonymous AnonymousTight-knit community
🏡Housing Mostly apartments ApartmentsHouses with yards
🏷️Affordable housing Good
💸Low taxes Excellent
💼Job market Below average
🏥Healthcare Excellent
🎓Education Average
🧸Kids & family Average
🐕Dog-friendly Average
⛰️Outdoors Poor
🎭Culture Below average
🛡️Safety Safe
🌪️Few natural disasters Good
☀️Sunny Below average
🌤️Mild summers Average
✈️Airport Good

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Is Murfreesboro right for you?

Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.

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Sources: US Census ACS 2019–2023, Census State Tax Collections FY2025, Zillow 3-bedroom ZHVI, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, FBI 2019, FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, OpenFEMA disaster declarations, NOAA Normals 1991–2020, NASA POWER, CMS, NCES IPEDS 2023, IMLS, OpenStreetMap. How scores work.