Moving from Springfield, IL to Murfreesboro, TN
It is a 389 mi drive, roughly 7h 29m, between Springfield, IL and Murfreesboro, 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.
389 mi Β· 7h 29m by car Β· TN β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 57, US 51 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Springfield and Murfreesboro 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $163,198 in Springfield to $426,292 in Murfreesboro, a 3.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 55.9" |
Annual temperature rises 6.0Β°F moving to Murfreesboro per NOAA normals.
Expect 2.2 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.69 |
Households in Murfreesboro earn about 3.9% more at the median β 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 Illinois 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- 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 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.
- Register to vote in Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Murfreesboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 389 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 3.9% higher than Springfield (96.338 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 389 mi and the route typically takes 7h 29m via I 24 and I 57. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 16.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 161.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Murfreesboro, TN.