Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Murfreesboro, TN
Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Murfreesboro, TN covers 110 mi and about 2h 10m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
110 mi · 2h 10m by car · TN → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, SR 17, SR 96 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.3% pricier overall in Murfreesboro than Chattanooga on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Murfreesboro typical home at $426,292 is 5.3% above Chattanooga at $319,579 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Chattanooga | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 55.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.9°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: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.69 |
Median household income in Murfreesboro is 5.3% above Chattanooga ($61,028 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.
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-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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $319,579 in Chattanooga — a 33.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 5.3% higher than Chattanooga (96.338 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 110 mi and the route typically takes 2h 10m via I 24 and SR 17. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $61,028 in Chattanooga — a 24.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga 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 110 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Chattanooga and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 61.9°F in Chattanooga (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 55.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN · Murfreesboro, TN.