Moving from St. Louis, MO to Murfreesboro, TN
It is a 339 mi drive, roughly 6h 17m, between St. Louis, MO 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.
339 mi Β· 6h 17m by car Β· MO β IL β KY β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β KY β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 64, IL 3 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 55.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Murfreesboro gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.69 |
Murfreesboro households earn about 1.3% more than St. Louis at the median β $55,279 β $76,241 on 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 Missouri 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 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 St. Louis to Murfreesboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 339 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 1.3% higher than St. Louis (96.338 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 37.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 339 mi and the route typically takes 6h 17m via I 24 and I 64. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Murfreesboro, TN.