Apartments for rent in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

On the move

Public transport

Getting around town without a car is straightforward thanks to Murfreesboro Transit, the city-run bus system once known as Rover. It operates fixed local routes across Murfreesboro that connect neighborhoods with the university, the hospital, shopping centers, and the downtown square, and a free smartphone app lets you track buses in real time. Fares are modest, and the system also offers demand-response service for eligible riders. Check the current routes, fares, and schedules before you plan a trip, since service hours vary by day.

Airports

The closest major airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA), roughly a 30-to-40-minute drive northwest on Interstate 24 outside of peak traffic. BNA is a fast-growing hub with nonstop service across the country and abroad, so flying out for work or a weekend trip is simple. Rideshare and rental options make the connection easy, and the drive is direct once you reach the interstate. Having a full-service airport this close is one of the practical perks of living in Murfreesboro.

Cars and driving

Murfreesboro is built around the car, and its road network makes commuting and road trips easy. Interstate 24 runs along the northwest edge of town, carrying traffic northwest toward Nashville, about 35 miles away, and southeast toward Chattanooga. Interstate 840 loops to the north and west, linking I-24 with Interstate 65 and Interstate 40 for trips that skip the city center. In town, Old Fort Parkway, Broad Street, and Church Street are the main commercial corridors, while the Medical Center Parkway area near the hospital has grown into a second hub of shopping and offices. Rush hour on I-24 can be busy toward Nashville, so many residents time their trips accordingly.

Pedestrians and bicycles

For walking, running, and cycling, the Murfreesboro Greenway System is the standout, with more than 17 miles of paved trails, bridges, and boardwalks. The Stones River Trail forms its backbone, following the West Fork of the Stones River for roughly ten miles between Thompson Lane and Barfield Crescent Park, with numerous trailheads and two off-leash bark parks along the way. The historic square downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot, and the network keeps growing as the city adds connections. It is an easy way to get outside close to home without driving far.

Your next job awaits

Murfreesboro anchors one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, and its economy runs far deeper than a college town might suggest. Advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, publishing, education, and government all keep a strong presence in and around the city, and the drive up I-24 opens the door to the wider Nashville job market. Whatever your field, the center of Rutherford County is a smart place to base a career.

Automotive manufacturing

Just west in neighboring Smyrna, the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant is one of the largest auto plants in North America, employing thousands of workers building popular Nissan models a short commute from Murfreesboro.

Healthcare

Care and jobs come together at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, the region's full-service hospital on Medical Center Parkway, which supports a large clinical and support workforce across the county.

Healthcare services

Murfreesboro is also a corporate hub for senior care as the home of National HealthCare Corporation, better known as NHC, whose headquarters near the downtown square oversees care centers and services across several states.

Publishing and distribution

A short drive north in La Vergne, Ingram Content Group runs one of the world's largest book distribution and print-on-demand operations, a major Rutherford County employer for logistics and technology roles.

E-commerce and logistics

On the south side of town, Amazon operates its BNA3 fulfillment center on Joe B. Jackson Parkway, a large facility that brought hundreds of full-time jobs and career-training programs to Murfreesboro.

Technology

Up I-24 in Nashville, tech care company Asurion employs a large regional workforce, and its downtown headquarters is within a reasonable commute for Murfreesboro residents in the technology field.

Higher education

The city's largest single employer and cultural anchor is Middle Tennessee State University, the largest locally governed university in the state, with more than 20,000 students and thousands of faculty and staff jobs.

Government

As the county seat, Murfreesboro is the center of Rutherford County government, which along with the City of Murfreesboro and the public school systems makes the public sector one of the area's steadiest sources of employment.

Education for every age

Residents in the area are served by two public school systems. Murfreesboro City Schools runs the pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade campuses inside the city, while Rutherford County Schools serves the surrounding county and operates the middle and high schools. One of the district's most recognized programs is Central Magnet School, a grades six-through-twelve magnet on East Main Street named a National Blue Ribbon School for academic achievement. For higher education, Middle Tennessee State University sits in the heart of town with more than 300 programs, and Motlow State Community College runs a nearby Smyrna campus with affordable two-year and transfer pathways.

Out and about

There is no shortage of ways to fill a weekend in Murfreesboro. Whether you want a Civil War history lesson, a plate of Southern cooking, a craft beer, a hands-on museum visit, or a long ride along the river, the area keeps it all close by. Here are a few favorites to get you started.

Our top picks

Stones River National Battlefield

This National Park Service site preserves more than 600 acres where one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War was fought over the winter of 1862 and 1863. You can tour the visitor center and museum, drive or bike the auto tour route, and pay respects at the national cemetery. It is one of the most significant historic sites in Middle Tennessee, and it connects directly to the city greenway.

Historic Murfreesboro Public Square

The downtown square wraps around the restored 1859 Rutherford County Courthouse and is home to hundreds of locally owned shops, restaurants, and coffee spots. Main Street Murfreesboro programs seasonal events, markets, and festivals here throughout the year. It is the historic and social heart of the city, and an easy place to spend an afternoon browsing on foot.

The Alley on Main

Tucked just off the square, this locally owned steak and seafood house is a downtown favorite for a special dinner or a relaxed lunch. The scratch kitchen turns out premium steaks, fresh seafood, pastas, and craft cocktails, with a room in back for gatherings. It is open six days a week and sits within reach of the courthouse.

TailGate Brewery Murfreesboro

This taproom and pizzeria pours a rotating lineup of house-brewed craft beer alongside scratch-made pizzas in a laid-back, dog-friendly space. Weekly trivia and game nights keep the calendar full, and the patio is a comfortable spot to unwind. It is an easy go-to for a casual evening out near the Stones River Mall area.

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring

This hands-on discovery museum sits beside a 25-acre wetland near downtown, pairing interactive exhibits with a boardwalk trail through the marsh. Visitors come for the play-based science and nature programs, while the wetland offers birdwatching and quiet walks. It draws well over a hundred thousand visitors a year and is a reliable rainy-day plan for all ages.

Cannonsburgh Village

This living-history pioneer village recreates Middle Tennessee life from the 1800s through the 1940s across about 20 restored structures, including a gristmill, schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and general store. Run by the city, it hosts festivals and events through the warmer months. It is a free, easygoing way to step back in time close to the center of town.

Barfield Crescent Park

This sprawling 430-acre park on the south side of Murfreesboro packs in paved and natural trails, mountain-bike routes, an 18-hole disc golf course, ball fields, campsites, and the Wilderness Station outdoor-education center. It also serves as a southern trailhead for the Stones River greenway. It is a favorite for anyone who wants room to roam without leaving the city.

The Avenue Murfreesboro

This open-air shopping center off Medical Center Parkway gathers dozens of national retailers, boutiques, and restaurants in one convenient spot. It is the area's main hub for everyday shopping and errands, with plenty of dining options mixed in. The central location near the hospital and I-24 makes it convenient from most parts of town.