Median rent is 19% lower in Gastonia ($1,204/mo vs $1,481/mo). Buying is cheaper in Gastonia, where the median home runs $277,600 versus $402,100. Households earn more in Murfreesboro ($80,108 vs $64,059 a year). Taken together, Murfreesboro is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.0 against 97.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Murfreesboro, TN.
City A
Gastonia, NC
City B
Murfreesboro, TN
How much would you need to earn in Murfreesboro, TN to maintain your standard of living from Gastonia, NC?
Equivalent salary in Murfreesboro, TN
$74,770
You could earn $230 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Gastonia
North Carolina
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Gastonia at $1,204/mo compared to $1,481/mo in Murfreesboro (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Murfreesboro: the median home is $402,100 versus $277,600 in Gastonia — 31% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Gastonia
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 Gastonia.
Pick Murfreesboro if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,108/yr).
Pick Gastonia if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,204/mo median).
Is Gastonia cheaper than Murfreesboro?
Murfreesboro is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.0 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Murfreesboro.
How much is rent in Gastonia vs Murfreesboro?
Median rent is $1,204/mo in Gastonia, NC and $1,481/mo in Murfreesboro, TN. Gastonia, NC has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — Gastonia or Murfreesboro?
Median household income is $64,059 in Gastonia, NC and $80,108 in Murfreesboro, TN. Murfreesboro, TN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Gastonia or Murfreesboro?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Murfreesboro to match my Gastonia income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Gastonia, NC is equivalent to roughly $99,693 in Murfreesboro, TN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
