City Comparison

Evansville vs Murfreesboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Evansville

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$850/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

Murfreesboro

Tennessee
93
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

14.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.0%, with Evansville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Evansville has equivalent purchasing power to $87,188 in Murfreesboro.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
55
Evansville
85
Murfreesboro
Groceries
95
Evansville
95
Murfreesboro
Utilities
105
Evansville
89
Murfreesboro
Transportation
98
Evansville
97
Murfreesboro
Healthcare
105
Evansville
96
Murfreesboro

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Evansville has the same purchasing power as $87,188 in Murfreesboro.

Conversely, $75,000 in Murfreesboro equals $64,516 in Evansville.

Living in Evansville vs Murfreesboro

Housing Costs

Evansville's housing index of 55 is lower Murfreesboro's 85, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $325,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Evansville compared to $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Evansville and 95 in Murfreesboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Evansville vs $451/month in Murfreesboro. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Evansville and 89 in Murfreesboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Evansville vs $356 in Murfreesboro. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Evansville and 96 in Murfreesboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,600 in Evansville and $55,200 in Murfreesboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,750 and $59,355 respectively. Evansville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,134/month to housing in Evansville vs $1,288/month in Murfreesboro. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Murfreesboro, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Evansville is 14.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Evansville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,188 in Murfreesboro, based on the cost of living difference.
Evansville's housing index is 55 with median homes at $170,000, while Murfreesboro's is 85 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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