City Comparison

Irving vs Murfreesboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Murfreesboro

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

The Verdict

7.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.5%, with Murfreesboro being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $69,750 in Murfreesboro.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Irving
85
Murfreesboro
Groceries
99
Irving
95
Murfreesboro
Utilities
111
Irving
89
Murfreesboro
Transportation
97
Irving
97
Murfreesboro
Healthcare
103
Irving
96
Murfreesboro

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $69,750 in Murfreesboro.

Conversely, $75,000 in Murfreesboro equals $80,645 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Murfreesboro

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Murfreesboro's 85, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $325,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 95 in Murfreesboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 89 in Murfreesboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 103 in Irving and 96 in Murfreesboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $55,200 in Murfreesboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $59,355 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,288/month in Murfreesboro. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 Utilities, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Murfreesboro is 7.5% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,750 in Murfreesboro, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Murfreesboro's is 85 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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