Murfreesboro

Overview

Murfreesboro is a popular city located an hour away from Nashville in Central Tennessee. Its prime location and historic appeal have made it an enticing option for retirees. Besides that, the city is home to a quaint downtown, numerous museums, and plenty of forest preserves and state parks. 

Climate and Geography

Murfreesboro is part of Rutherford County. Summers are hot and humid while winters are very cold and windy. Residents can expect more rain than the national average and about 200 sunny days a year. 

Murfreesboro is built on prairie land, and the West Fork Stones River runs through the town. Much like a suburb, Murfreesboro is home to plenty of subdivisions, golf courses, and a few small bodies of water. 

Recreation, Culture, and Entertainment

Murfreesboro is known for its historic battlegrounds. The two most famous of these are the Stones River National Battlefield and Cannonsburgh Village, where residents can go sightseeing, take educational tours, and more. There are also many museums in Murfreesboro, including Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History, Bradley Academy and Cultural Center, and Murfreesboro Center of Arts. 

Downtown, residents can find a number of antique shops, restaurants, and large breweries. Other popular amenities include several golf courses and the Stones River Mall for name-brand shopping. Not to mention, Murfreesboro is home to Middle Tennessee State University, which gives the city a college town feel. 

Those looking for the amenities of a large city can drive to Nashville, just an hour outside Murfreesboro.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Murfreesboro is only slightly higher than the national average because of high housing costs. Other categories, such as groceries and utilities, are lower than the national average, but the cost of transportation is higher. 

Tennessee is a tax-friendly state. There is no state income tax, so Social Security benefits are not taxed. In addition, homeowners 65 and older qualify for a property tax relief program. The sales tax rate in Murfreesboro is high at 9.75 percent.

Health Care

The Nashville metro area scores well on Gallup's Well-Being Index, ranking in the top 40 communities across the country.

There are several hospitals and medical centers in Murfreesboro, including Trustpoint Hospital and Tristar StoneCrest Medical Center. Also in the city are St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital and Williamson Medical Center, both ranked high performing in a number of procedures by U.S News.