Moving from Olathe, KS to Murfreesboro, TN
A move from Olathe, KS to Murfreesboro, TN covers 604 mi and around 11h 24m of driving through 5 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.
604 mi · 11h 24m 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
| Olathe | 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 Olathe 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 values in Olathe and Murfreesboro are within 5% of each other ($433,117 vs $426,292 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 55.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Olathe (55.1°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: OLATHE 3E, KS US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.69 |
Median household income in Murfreesboro is 4.1% below Olathe ($112,232 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 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 Olathe 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 604 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe 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.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 1.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 604 mi and the route typically takes 11h 24m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 55.1°F in Olathe (3.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 40.7 in.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 32.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 4.1% higher than Olathe (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 Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Murfreesboro, TN.