City Comparison

Montpelier vs Murfreesboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montpelier

Vermont
117
Above Average
$375,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$82,600
Median Income

Murfreesboro

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

The Verdict

25.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.8%, with Murfreesboro being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to $59,615 in Murfreesboro.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Montpelier
85
Murfreesboro
Groceries
104
Montpelier
95
Murfreesboro
Utilities
123
Montpelier
89
Murfreesboro
Transportation
107
Montpelier
97
Murfreesboro
Healthcare
107
Montpelier
96
Murfreesboro

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $59,615 in Murfreesboro.

Conversely, $75,000 in Murfreesboro equals $94,355 in Montpelier.

Living in Montpelier vs Murfreesboro

Housing Costs

Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Murfreesboro's 85, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $325,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 95 in Murfreesboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $451/month in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 123 in Montpelier and 89 in Murfreesboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier 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 107 in Montpelier and 96 in Murfreesboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $82,600 in Montpelier and $55,200 in Murfreesboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $59,355 respectively. Montpelier residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,927/month to housing in Montpelier vs $1,288/month in Murfreesboro. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/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 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Murfreesboro is 25.8% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,615 in Murfreesboro, based on the cost of living difference.
Montpelier's housing index is 131 with median homes at $375,000, while Murfreesboro's is 85 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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