Cost of Living: Murfreesboro, TN vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Murfreesboro

Tennessee
105
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Murfreesboro is 5% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,376/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 5%
$76,241/yr ↑ 19%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 16%
$365,100 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 4%
$1,435/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 4%
157,547
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Murfreesboro, TN and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $65/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $780/year.

Median household income is $12,341/year higher in Murfreesboro. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Murfreesboro is $365,100 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Murfreesboro residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Murfreesboro vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Murfreesboro or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Murfreesboro and Wilmington?
Median rent in Murfreesboro is $1,376/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $65/month.
Which city has higher income, Murfreesboro or Wilmington?
Median household income is $76,241 in Murfreesboro and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $12,341/year higher in Murfreesboro.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and North Carolina?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Murfreesboro or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Murfreesboro has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,376/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Murfreesboro details → View Wilmington details →

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