Moving from Kansas City, KS to Murfreesboro, TN
The drive from Kansas City, KS to Murfreesboro, TN runs 594 mi — about 11h 15m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
594 mi · 11h 15m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 24, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Murfreesboro and Kansas City is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Murfreesboro is 4.1% above Kansas City — $198,195 vs $426,292 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 55.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Kansas City (56.9°F) and Murfreesboro (58.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Murfreesboro averages 2.2 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 34 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.69 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.1% between Kansas City and Murfreesboro (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 Kansas 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
- 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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 594 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (2.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 38.1 in.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 28.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 115.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 594 mi and the route typically takes 11h 15m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 4.1% higher than Kansas City (96.338 vs 92.543, 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Murfreesboro, TN.