Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Des Moines is 4% more affordable than Murfreesboro. A $75,000 salary in Murfreesboro is equivalent to $71,774 in Des Moines.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Iowa salaries · Tennessee salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Des Moines has a housing index of 74 while Murfreesboro sits at 85 (national average = 100). The median home in Des Moines costs $210,000 compared to $325,000 in Murfreesboro, a difference of $115,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Des Moines versus $1,350 in Murfreesboro.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Des Moines scores 96 while Murfreesboro scores 95. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines (97) are higher than Murfreesboro (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Des Moines is $55,958 compared to $55,200 in Murfreesboro. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Des Moines.
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