Clarksville vs Murfreesboro: Housing Costs in Tennessee
Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Clarksville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Using Tennessee's 0.56% property tax rate and $2,400/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Clarksville
Murfreesboro
Median Home Price
$275K
$365K
Population
166,722
152,769
Average Rent
$1,220/mo
$1,450/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)
$1,564/mo
$2,076/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax
$128/mo
$170/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance
$200/mo
$200/mo
Est. Total PITI
$1,996/mo
$2,584/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.8
21.0
Verdict
Clarksville edges out Murfreesboro in affordability, saving you roughly $588/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Tennessee, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Monthly Payment Comparison
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Tennessee's 0.56% property tax rate.
Clarksville
Home Price$275,000
Down Payment (10%)$27,500
Loan Amount$247,500
Monthly P&I$1,564
Monthly Property Tax$128
Monthly Insurance$200
Monthly PMI$103
Total PITI$1,996/mo
Annual property tax: $1,540
Murfreesboro
Home Price$365,000
Down Payment (10%)$36,500
Loan Amount$328,500
Monthly P&I$2,076
Monthly Property Tax$170
Monthly Insurance$200
Monthly PMI$137
Total PITI$2,584/mo
Annual property tax: $2,044
Buying in Clarksville saves you approximately $588/month ($7,056/year) compared to Murfreesboro, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Which City Is Better For...
First-Time Buyers
Clarksville is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $275K versus $365K in Murfreesboro. That's $90K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $10K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Clarksville, compared to $13K in Murfreesboro. Tennessee offers the THDA Great Choice Home Loan program (Up to $25,000 DPA) which applies in both cities.
Real Estate Investment
Clarksville has the better price-to-rent ratio at 18.8x versus 21.0x in Murfreesboro. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Clarksville is $1,220/month on a $275K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Families
Clarksville (pop. 166,722) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Murfreesboro (pop. 152,769) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Clarksville offers both more options and lower housing costs, making it attractive for families who want urban amenities without a premium price.