Median rent is 29% lower in St. Louis ($978/mo vs $1,376/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $185,100 versus $365,100. Households earn more in Murfreesboro ($76,241 vs $55,279 a year). Taken together, Murfreesboro is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 96.5 against 96.6 — 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
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Murfreesboro, TN?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$75,009
You'd need $9 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
St. Louis
Missouri
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in St. Louis — median rent of $978/mo versus $1,376/mo in Murfreesboro, a 29% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Murfreesboro: the median home is $365,100 versus $185,100 in St. Louis — 49% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while Missouri tops out at 4.80% — giving Murfreesboro a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.00% in Tennessee and 4.22% in Missouri; St. Louis has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Murfreesboro
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
St. Louis
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
St. Louis has cleaner air on average: 26.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Murfreesboro if you prioritize higher median household income ($76,241/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($978/mo median).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 26.0).
Pick Murfreesboro if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Murfreesboro cheaper than St. Louis?
Murfreesboro is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 96.5 versus 96.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Murfreesboro.
How much is rent in Murfreesboro vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,376/mo in Murfreesboro, TN and $978/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 29%.
Which has higher salaries — Murfreesboro or St. Louis?
Median household income is $76,241 in Murfreesboro, TN and $55,279 in St. Louis, MO. 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?
St. Louis, MO has better air quality on average: 26.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Murfreesboro or St. Louis?
Tennessee has no state income tax. Missouri has a top rate of 4.80%.
What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Murfreesboro income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Murfreesboro, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,011 in St. Louis, MO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology