Moving from Waco, TX to Murfreesboro, TN
It is 787 mi between Waco and Murfreesboro — roughly 13h 57m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
787 mi · 13h 57m by car · TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 40, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney, Garland, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.1% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 55.9" |
Annual temperature drops 7.7°F moving to Murfreesboro per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Murfreesboro gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.69 |
Murfreesboro households earn about 4.1% more than Waco at the median — $51,468 → $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 Texas 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.
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
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 4.1% higher than Waco (96.338 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $51,468 in Waco — a 48.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 66.6°F in Waco (7.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 37.5 in.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 787 mi and the route typically takes 13h 57m via I 30 and I 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $194,245 in Waco — a 119.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 787 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Murfreesboro, TN.