Median rent is 23% lower in Murfreesboro ($1,481/mo vs $1,923/mo). Buying is cheaper in Murfreesboro, where the median home runs $402,100 versus $705,400. Households earn more in Franklin ($119,528 vs $80,108 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (97.0).
City A
Franklin, TN
City B
Murfreesboro, TN
How much would you need to earn in Murfreesboro, TN to maintain your standard of living from Franklin, TN?
Equivalent salary in Murfreesboro, TN
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Franklin
Tennessee
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Murfreesboro — median rent of $1,481/mo versus $1,923/mo in Franklin, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Franklin: the median home is $705,400 versus $402,100 in Murfreesboro — 43% more expensive.
Metric
Franklin
Murfreesboro
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Franklin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Murfreesboro
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Murfreesboro (avg AQI 38.0) but not yet for Franklin.
Pick Franklin if you prioritize higher median household income ($119,528/yr).
Pick Murfreesboro if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,481/mo median).
Franklin is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.0 versus 97.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Franklin.
Median rent is $1,923/mo in Franklin, TN and $1,481/mo in Murfreesboro, TN. Murfreesboro, TN has the lower rent by about 23%.
Median household income is $119,528 in Franklin, TN and $80,108 in Murfreesboro, TN. Franklin, TN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Franklin, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Murfreesboro, TN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
