Murfreesboro

Middle Tennessee • Local Guide

Murfreesboro, TN Real Estate

Murfreesboro is about a 35-minute drive from downtown Nashville, but it still feels like a hometown. Life moves a little slower here, and your money goes much further than it does in Nashville or Franklin. From established neighborhoods to new construction and townhomes, there's a wide range of homes to choose from. Murfreesboro is the county seat of Rutherford County and home to Middle Tennessee State University. It's big enough that you rarely need to drive to Nashville for anything.

In September 2026, the median sale price of a single-family home in Murfreesboro was $430,000, and homes sold in an average of 33 days. (Realtracs MLS data, compiled by The Fraker Group.)

Is Murfreesboro, TN a good place to live?

For most of the buyers we work with, yes. Here's what people love and what to plan for.

What people love

• Easy access to I-24. Murfreesboro has six I-24 exits, from I-840 on the west side to Joe B. Jackson Parkway on the south side, so most of town is a short drive from the interstate.
• Each side of town has its own shopping. The north side has its own Kroger and Publix on Memorial Boulevard. Veterans Parkway in the Blackman area has a Kroger, a newer Publix, gyms and restaurants. Rutherford Crossing on Lascassas Pike serves the northeast side. You can get groceries, work out and grab dinner without crossing town.
• More home for your money. The median single-family home in Murfreesboro sold for $430,000 in September 2026, compared with $605,000 in Nashville and $1,102,500 in Franklin.
• The No. 1 public high school in the country. Central Magnet School is ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
• A real downtown. The historic courthouse square has local shops and restaurants, and MTSU brings sports and events.

What to plan for

• Rush hour on I-24. The drive to Nashville runs about 35 minutes without traffic and longer at rush hour.
• Growth. Murfreesboro has grown fast. That means new schools, roads and shopping, and also busier main roads.
• City limits matter for taxes. Homes inside city limits pay both city and county property tax (see below).

Cost of living in Murfreesboro, TN

• No state income tax on wages. For many families moving from other states, this is the biggest savings.
• Sales tax is 9.75%: 7% for the state plus 2.75% local. Groceries are taxed at a lower state rate of 4%, plus the local rate.
• Homes: In September 2026, the median single-family sale price was $430,000 in Murfreesboro, $605,000 in Nashville and $1,102,500 in Franklin. (Realtracs MLS data, compiled by The Fraker Group.)

Murfreesboro, TN property taxes

Tennessee assesses homes at 25% of their appraised value, and your tax is that assessed value times the rate. Rutherford County's 2026 reappraisal raised values about 26% on average, and the City of Murfreesboro then lowered its rate from $0.9526 to $0.7529 per $100 of assessed value. Homes inside city limits pay the Rutherford County rate plus the city rate, and homes outside city limits pay only the county rate. A lower rate doesn't always mean a lower bill, so look up the address with the Rutherford County Trustee before you buy.

Murfreesboro, TN schools

Murfreesboro is home to the No. 1 public high school in the country. Central Magnet School was ranked No. 1 in the nation and No. 1 in Tennessee in the U.S. News & World Report 2026-2027 Best High Schools rankings. Central Magnet serves grades 6 through 12, and students attend by application, not by address.

• Murfreesboro City Schools serves PreK through 6th grade inside city limits. Students then move to Rutherford County Schools for middle and high school.
• Rutherford County Schools is one of the largest districts in Tennessee and serves PreK through 12th grade.
• Top-ranked high schools serving Murfreesboro (U.S. News 2026-2027 Tennessee rankings, out of 440 high schools): Blackman No. 56, Rockvale No. 61, Siegel No. 82 and Oakland No. 87. Riverdale High School also serves the city.
• Private options include Providence Christian Academy and Middle Tennessee Christian School.

School zones change, so check the zone for any address you're considering.

Murfreesboro, TN ZIP codes and neighborhoods

• 37128 (Blackman, Salem and Veterans Parkway): the west and southwest side. Veterans Parkway has its own Kroger, a newer Publix, gyms and restaurants, and there's an I-840 exit right on Veterans Parkway.
• 37129 (Gateway, Siegel and north Memorial Boulevard): the north and northwest side. North Memorial Boulevard has a Kroger and a Publix. Medical Center Parkway has its own I-24 exit, and NW Broad Street connects to I-840.
• 37130 (downtown, MTSU and the east side): the historic square, the neighborhoods around MTSU, and Rutherford Crossing shopping on Lascassas Pike.
• 37127 (south and southeast): South Church Street below I-24, Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Shelbyville Highway, with I-24 access at the Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Church Street exit.

Want more land and a slower pace? Look just outside Murfreesboro at Christiana, Rockvale and Eagleville.

Popular Murfreesboro Neighborhoods

We’ve written detailed guides to some of Murfreesboro’s most popular neighborhoods, with the homes, schools and favorite spots nearby.

West side (37128)

• Villages of Berkshire: a Blackman-area neighborhood off Veterans Parkway and Fortress Boulevard, close to I-24
• Del Webb Southern Harmony: a new construction 55+ community with a large amenity center
• South Haven: a family neighborhood off Ocala Road, a couple of minutes from I-840

Northwest side (37129)

• Shelton Square: a large neighborhood of single-family homes built in sections
• Sycamore Grove: a newer neighborhood near Old Nashville Highway and the Smyrna line
• Smith Farms: a newer neighborhood off Blackman Road
• Brewer Point: a smaller community of about 159 homes near the Smyrna line

North and east side (37130)

• Northwoods: a north Murfreesboro neighborhood off Memorial Boulevard
• Arbors at Compton: new construction on the northeast side

Things to do in Murfreesboro, TN

• Stones River National Battlefield: A National Park Service site on Old Nashville Highway. The Stones River Greenway connects to several of its outlying sites.
• Murfreesboro Greenway System: About 15 miles of trails, bridges and boardwalks along the Stones River, with 16 trailheads and spots to launch a kayak.
• The historic Square: The heart of downtown, with local shops and restaurants, a seasonal Saturday market and the annual JazzFest.
• Discovery Center at Murfree Spring: A hands-on children's museum with wetland trails out back.
• Old Fort Park: Playgrounds, including Kids Castle, plus walking paths and sports fields.

Where to eat in Murfreesboro, TN

Here are a few local favorites by area. It isn't a complete list, just a good place to start.

Downtown

• The Alley on Main: A local favorite just off the Square for lunch and dinner.
• Joanie's Public Square: Coffee, breakfast and lunch right on the Square.
• Marina's on the Square: Italian on North Maple Street.
• Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint: Burgers and craft beer on North Maple Street.

North

• Two J's Grille: A casual grill on Memorial Boulevard East.
• Primrose Table: A dinner spot on Memorial Boulevard known for its steaks.
• La Cucina Italiana: Italian on North Thompson Lane.

Medical Center

• Chinwag Social: Dinner at The Fountains from Murfreesboro chef Alex Belew, winner of Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen.
• PennePazze: Italian at The Fountains.
• Goodness Gracious: Breakfast and lunch at The Fountains.
• The Chop House: Steaks and seafood on North Thompson Lane.

Veterans Parkway

• Waldo's Chicken & Beer: Fried chicken in a fun, retro space at Kingdom Crest.
• The Gumbo Bros: Cajun food on Westlawn Boulevard.
• Mr. Brews Taphouse: Burgers and craft beer, with a patio, on Franklin Road.

South (near I-24 Exit 81)

• First Watch: Breakfast and brunch on South Church Street.
• Cava: Mediterranean bowls on South Church Street.
• Camino Real: Mexican on South Church Street.
• Toot's: Wings and burgers on South Church Street.
• Lemongrass Sushi & Thai: A long-time local favorite on Veterans Parkway near South Church Street.

Commuting from Murfreesboro to Nashville

I-24 is the main route: about 35 minutes to downtown Nashville without traffic, and longer at rush hour. I-840 runs along the west and northwest side of town, toward Franklin to the west and Lebanon to the northeast. Before you buy, test the drive at the time you'd actually make it.

Murfreesboro, TN FAQ

Is Murfreesboro, TN a good place to live?

Yes, for buyers who want a hometown feel, easy I-24 access, the No. 1 public high school in the country and more home for the money than Nashville or Franklin, about 35 minutes from Nashville.

What ZIP codes are in Murfreesboro, TN?

Homes are in 37127, 37128, 37129 and 37130. 37132 is the MTSU campus.

Does Tennessee have a state income tax?

No. Tennessee doesn't tax wages.

What are property taxes in Murfreesboro, TN?

Homes are assessed at 25% of appraised value. The 2026 city rate is $0.7529 per $100 of assessed value, added to the Rutherford County rate for homes inside city limits.

What school districts serve Murfreesboro, TN?

Murfreesboro City Schools for PreK through 6th grade inside city limits, and Rutherford County Schools for the rest. Central Magnet School, ranked No. 1 in the nation, accepts students by application.

How far is Murfreesboro from Nashville?

About 35 minutes on I-24 without traffic.

What is there to do in Murfreesboro, TN?

Murfreesboro is home to Stones River National Battlefield, about 15 miles of greenway trails along the Stones River, and a historic downtown Square with local shops, restaurants and events like the annual JazzFest.

Who are Realtors in Murfreesboro, TN?

Jason and Allison Fraker are a husband and wife team of Realtors based in Murfreesboro. They've closed more than 175 transactions in Murfreesboro since 2016 and help clients buy and sell homes and land across Rutherford County.

Realtors in Murfreesboro, TN

We're Jason and Allison Fraker, a husband and wife team, and Murfreesboro is our home base. We've closed more than 175 transactions in Murfreesboro since 2016, and we'll help you find the side of town that fits your budget, your commute and your weekends. Call or text us at (615) 456-8016, or email jason@thefrakergroup.com.

See our blog for more info and links to specific neighborhoods in the area.