City Comparison

Murfreesboro vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Murfreesboro

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

Round Rock

Texas
101
Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$100,500
Median Income

The Verdict

7.9%

Living in Murfreesboro costs 7.9% less than Round Rock. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Murfreesboro, you would need $81,452 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Murfreesboro
92
Round Rock
Groceries
95
Murfreesboro
96
Round Rock
Utilities
89
Murfreesboro
109
Round Rock
Transportation
97
Murfreesboro
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
96
Murfreesboro
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Murfreesboro has the same purchasing power as $81,452 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $69,059 in Murfreesboro.

Living in Murfreesboro vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Murfreesboro's housing index of 85 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $413,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Murfreesboro and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Murfreesboro vs $456/month in Round Rock. 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 89 in Murfreesboro and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Murfreesboro vs $436 in Round Rock. 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 96 in Murfreesboro and 96 in Round Rock. 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 $55,200 in Murfreesboro and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,355 and $99,505 respectively. Round Rock residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,288/month to housing in Murfreesboro vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Murfreesboro, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Murfreesboro is 7.9% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Murfreesboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,452 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Murfreesboro's housing index is 85 with median homes at $325,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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