Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Murfreesboro, TN
It is 721 mi between Virginia Beach and Murfreesboro — roughly 13h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
721 mi · 13h 25m by car · VA → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 64, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Virginia Beach and Murfreesboro sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Murfreesboro ($426,292) sits close to Virginia Beach ($427,032) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 55.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.8°F vs 58.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 2.2 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.69 |
Households in Murfreesboro earn about 1.6% less at the median — 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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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 — 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
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 15.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 721 mi and the route typically takes 13h 25m via I 81 and I 64. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 0.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach 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 721 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 Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 46.6 in.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 1.6% lower than Virginia Beach (96.338 vs 97.941, 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Murfreesboro, TN.