Median rent is 5% lower in Salt Lake City ($1,414/mo vs $1,481/mo). Buying is cheaper in Murfreesboro, where the median home runs $402,100 versus $539,500. Households earn more in Murfreesboro ($80,108 vs $75,090 a year). Taken together, Murfreesboro is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.0 against 97.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Murfreesboro, TN.
City A
Murfreesboro, TN
City B
Salt Lake City, UT
How much would you need to earn in Salt Lake City, UT to maintain your standard of living from Murfreesboro, TN?
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$75,094
You'd need $94 more (0% higher).
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
Murfreesboro
Tennessee
Salt Lake City
Utah
👥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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,481/mo in Murfreesboro and $1,414/mo in Salt Lake City. Home buyers face a steeper market in Salt Lake City: the median home is $539,500 versus $402,100 in Murfreesboro — 25% 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.
Murfreesboro
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Salt Lake City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Murfreesboro has cleaner air on average: 38.0 AQI (Good) compared to 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Murfreesboro if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,108/yr).
Is Murfreesboro cheaper than Salt Lake City?
Murfreesboro is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.0 versus 97.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Murfreesboro.
How much is rent in Murfreesboro vs Salt Lake City?
Median rent is $1,481/mo in Murfreesboro, TN and $1,414/mo in Salt Lake City, UT. Salt Lake City, UT has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Murfreesboro or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $80,108 in Murfreesboro, TN and $75,090 in Salt Lake City, UT. 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?
Murfreesboro, TN has better air quality on average: 38.0 AQI versus 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Murfreesboro or Salt Lake City?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Salt Lake City to match my Murfreesboro income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Murfreesboro, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,125 in Salt Lake City, UT (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
