Widely known for the Civil War battle of Murfreesboro, this Tennessee city is smack dab in the middle of the state.
A lot has happened since the events that put it on the map and Murfreesboro continues to move into the future with an eye on progress.
Incorporated in 1811, Murfreesboro was originally named Cannonsburgh as a dedication to a local representative named Newton Cannon.
Instead, war hero Colonel Hardy Murfree won out and thus the city’s story began.
Over the years, the area has been through a lot.
Now, we’ll take you through what it’s like to call Murfreesboro home.
Contents
Pros of Living in Murfreesboro, TN
1. Cost of Living
Coming up well under the national average, this Tennessee city is a great place to stretch a dollar.
Not only does Murfreesburo undercut many towns around the state, but it also is a great financial alternative to the capital, Nashville, which is about 35 minutes north.
Rent and mortgages are affordable but the savings don’t stop there.
Everything necessary for existence, utilities, groceries, and services are routinely rated as one of the best between North Carolina and Arkansas.
2. Location
Everything in real estate has to do with location.
Living in Murfreesboro makes you luckier than most, in that regard.
Not only are there parks and plenty of hiking trails in town, but there are well-known tourist cities within a relatively short drive away.
Nashville is half an hour out, Chattanooga is an hour and a half, and Pigeon Forge is three and a half hours, as is Memphis.
That’s just getting started on all the things there are to see and do.
3. State Income Tax
Tennessee is only one of seven states with no state income tax.
That is a wonderful thing, especially in this area where there are not a ton of high earners.
So, people are able to keep more of their hard-earned income.
Some of that money is put to good use by being thrown back into the economy.
It also means there’s more opportunity to build savings.
At least that’s the theory.
4. Education
One thing Tennessee is not known for is its high education standards.
Unfortunately, this southern state is closer to the bottom on a national level.
So, you might be surprised to see education listed here.
It just so happens that Murfreesboro is doing its most to change that.
Compared to state and national levels, Murfreesboro has a high rate of high school graduates.
Some of the things they’re doing to improve the stats are lowering the number of students per room and adding a bunch of extracurricular activities to keep the children’s interests.
5. History
With over 300 years of being official, Murfreesboro has plenty of history to walk through.
Seeing the sites is a great way to get to know the town and what it has been through since before it was incorporated.
There’s a lot to digest, both good and bad, but to get out and take tours is a learning experience for natives and newbies alike.
6. Diversity
You may not necessarily think of people from all over the world when you visualize Tennessee.
To be fair, much of the state falls on the less diverse side of things.
However, Murfreesboro benefits from being a suburb of Nashville.
Usually, state capitals are a magnet for pulling in people from all walks of life.
So, the breakdown of what we’re looking at just south of Nashville is 67% European American, 19% African American, 9% Latin American, and 5% Asian American.
7. Dining Variety
One great thing diversity brings is the choice of food.
Having the option to eat something different every night is the gift that keeps on giving.
There’s not a lot to do around town, but there is a lot to eat.
Of course, there are natural places such as BBQ and southern cuisine.
However, there is also Mediterranean, Mexican, and several bars with live music.
It helps the atmosphere tenfold.
8. Weather
It’s tough to put weather in a plus or minus column, honestly.
How individuals interpret weather can vary wildly, depending on what they’re used to.
However, something great about this part of Tennessee is the proximity to the north.
You see, Murfreesboro is north enough to not have miserably hot summers but south enough to not be covered in a thick blanket of snow each winter.
In fact, we most definitely get snow but we’re south enough to still have schools closed.
Win, win.
Cons of Living in Murfreesboro, TN
1. Population Growth
On the one hand, having people around to infuse the economy is a good thing.
On the other hand, when the growth is exponential, it can be a problem.
As the area has become denser, not enough of the city government has gone into urban planning.
When things get thrown together in a hurry, the quality diminishes.
So, buildings are being thrown together and the new stuff just isn’t as good. T
here are not enough jobs to support a jump in the population, either.
2. Things to Do
Being in a suburb of a much bigger city often means the things to do stretch out to your neck of the woods.
Unfortunately for Murfreesboro, this isn’t the case.
The lack of local activities is enough to make someone want to move, especially if there are multiple little people in the house claiming to be bored.
While there are things to do outdoors, it’s not enough to keep a happening vibe across town.
3. Safety Concerns
In comparison to cities with a similar area and population, Murfreesboro has a higher crime rate.
Both violent and property crimes happen more here than in other places nationwide.
There are 36 crimes for every 1,000 people.
Theft is by far the stand-out as far as criminal activity is concerned, followed by aggravated assault and burglary.
An increase in crime might be attributed to the fact that the city is one of the fastest growing in the US.
4. Construction
When a city is growing out of control, it’s not surprising that construction is happening everywhere.
When construction is going on, it can be a nightmare.
There is no escape.
In order to keep up with the demand of incomers, there seems to be a construction crew on every block.
The roads are backed up due to the expanse and that makes traffic crawl at times.
It can be quite disheartening for someone who has been here for a long time.
5. Political Leaning
The neighbors can be a bit nosey.
Being southern is an excuse for most to invite themselves over and ask questions.
Sometimes there are a lot of questions.
That can be annoying and awkward for many reasons, but some of it is political.
The area is very conservative and many locals make sure everyone is aware of it.
That can make it intimidating to follow a different political belief.
6. Insect Population
Where there are people, there are bugs. It’s just a fact of life that can’t be avoided.
But for whatever reason, some places are more attractive to creepy crawlies than others.
Murfreesboro seems to be a mosquito magnet.
They are everywhere in the summer, so much so that you can practically hear them wherever you go.
Luckily, there’s never a real shortage of citronella candles.
7. Humidity
Do you know what encourages a hoard of insects?
Humidity.
There’s nothing worse than being sweaty outside and being bit by a mosquito.
When you scratch, your fingers are sweaty and soon you feel like a shower is necessary.
Honestly, the whole thing is a mess.
So, even though summer temperatures don’t sit endlessly at over 100 degrees, the humidity can surely feel that way.
8. Churches
Despite being more diverse, there’s an overwhelming number of Christian churches all over the place.
There’s practically church after church on some streets.
It is the bible belt, after all, but it does seem like a bit much.
If you’re not used to that kind of religious presence, it can be overwhelming.
Pros and Cons of Living in Murfreesboro, TN – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Murfreesboro, TN | Cons of Living in Murfreesboro, TN |
|---|---|
| 1. Cost of Living | 1. Population Growth |
| 2. Location | 2. Things to Do |
| 3. State Income Tax | 3. Safety Concerns |
| 4. Education | 4. Construction |
| 5. History | 5. Political Leaning |
| 6. Diversity | 6. Insect Population |
| 7. Dining Variety | 7. Humidity |
| 8. Weather | 8. Churches |
Murfreesboro Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Murfreesboro Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Murfreesboro a nice place to live?
Recently, the city was ranked in the top 20 Best Places to Live by Time Magazine.
So, as long as none of the cons are enough to run you off, it can be a really great place to spend a life.
It’s also voted as a great place to raise a family.
How much snow does Murfreesboro get?
The average snowfall each year is four inches.
The national average is 28 inches.
Depending on perspective, that could be an absolutely wonderful thing or be not quite enough.
For most, though, it’s enough to have a snow day, but not so much when you have to dig the car out of the snow every day.
Kind of the best of both worlds.
What is Murfreesboro's minimum wage?
The minimum wage for the city is the same as the federal minimum wage, $7.25.
Despite the rise in costs and inflation, the local government hasn’t deemed it necessary to make any changes to improve the financial obligations of the citizens.
Is Murfreesboro prone to other natural disasters?
Flooding and wildfires have been projected to increase dramatically in frequency over the next few decades.
Over 3,000 properties stand to be impacted by the rise in natural disasters.
It’s an issue that the city is working to prevent.
Does Murfreesboro get a lot of tornadoes?
It wouldn’t be fair to say they are inundated with tornadoes, but Murfreesboro does get them.
Tornadoes have also been known to cause millions of dollars in damage and death.
In 2002, there was a tornado that blew through, taking the lives of 31 people.
Thanks for all of the info!
People need to quit moving into every little nook and cranny they can across the US that’s a cool place or used to be a cool place. The United States is being ruined by urban sprawl that is unneeded stay where you are and quit moving into the little locations that aren’t meant to have that big of a population. As for the crime rate it is time to start tracking those that are the criminals and making them disappear especially if they’re drug related or if they’re minorities would rather steal than work.
Murfreesboro is a wonderful place to live. I moved from NY. I Left my politics there and try to conform to where I moved, an established neighborhood. The new developments are poorly built and have people living on top of each other. As far as too many churches, how is that a bad thing. Thats what is missing in all these other areas people are leaving. Churches are a plus. Churches and Christians are what is holding this country together. If that is not your value maybe you should stay away. Do not deny God.
Amen!
The place also has a lower cost of living compared to larger cities in the state, making it more affordable for residents and future residents.
Located close to Nashville, residents can enjoy big-city amenities and entertainment options within a short drive. It is very accessible to anyone who wants to live there.