Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
3% cheaper
Murfreesboro is 3% more affordable than Columbia. A $75,000 salary in Columbia is equivalent to $72,656 in Murfreesboro.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Carolina salaries · Tennessee salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbia has a housing index of 88 while Murfreesboro sits at 85 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $210,000 compared to $325,000 in Murfreesboro, a difference of $115,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Columbia versus $1,350 in Murfreesboro.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbia scores 99 while Murfreesboro scores 95. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (102) are higher than Murfreesboro (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $46,734 compared to $55,200 in Murfreesboro. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Murfreesboro.
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