Cost of Living: Murfreesboro, TN vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Murfreesboro

Tennessee
105
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Murfreesboro is 68% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,376/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 48%
$76,241/yr ↓ 33%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 49%
$365,100 ↓ 48%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 91%
$1,435/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 51%
157,547
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.0%
Sales Tax
5.3%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Murfreesboro, TN and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $655/month cheaper in Murfreesboro, saving renters about $7,860/year.

Median household income is $37,397/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Murfreesboro is $365,100 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Murfreesboro residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Murfreesboro vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Murfreesboro or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Murfreesboro is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Murfreesboro and Alexandria?
Median rent in Murfreesboro is $1,376/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $655/month.
Which city has higher income, Murfreesboro or Alexandria?
Median household income is $76,241 in Murfreesboro and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $37,397/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Virginia?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Murfreesboro or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Murfreesboro has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,376/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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