Moving from Murfreesboro, TN to Knoxville, TN
It is a 179 mi drive, roughly 3h 21m, between Murfreesboro, TN and Knoxville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
179 mi Β· 3h 21m by car Β· TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 840, US 41 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Murfreesboro | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.338 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.95 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.626 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Murfreesboro and Knoxville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Knoxville run about 3.9% cheaper β ZHVI $426,292 β $369,216 (2026-03).
YoY change: Murfreesboro +0.1%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Murfreesboro | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.9" | 55.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.9Β°F vs 57.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murfreesboro | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,547 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $76,241 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 31.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.69 | 2.28 |
Knoxville households earn about 3.9% less than Murfreesboro at the median β $76,241 β $50,994 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Knoxville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,000 | $39,660 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 40,780 | $28,680 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 39,220 | $36,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,880 | $32,470 |
| Production Occupations | 33,840 | $41,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Knoxville averages 55.8 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Knoxville, TN from Murfreesboro, TN?
The driving distance is 179 mi and the route typically takes 3h 21m via I 40 and I 840. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Murfreesboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $426,292 in Murfreesboro β a 13.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Murfreesboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 1,074,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Murfreesboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 3.9% lower than Murfreesboro (92.569 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 Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 179 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Murfreesboro vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $76,241 in Murfreesboro β a 33.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Murfreesboro.
City profiles: Murfreesboro, TN Β· Knoxville, TN.