Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Milwaukee and Murfreesboro have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · Tennessee salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Milwaukee has a housing index of 80 while Murfreesboro sits at 85 (national average = 100). The median home in Milwaukee costs $175,000 compared to $325,000 in Murfreesboro, a difference of $150,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Milwaukee versus $1,350 in Murfreesboro.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Milwaukee scores 100 while Murfreesboro scores 95. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Milwaukee (102) are higher than Murfreesboro (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Milwaukee is $44,044 compared to $55,200 in Murfreesboro. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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