Accountant Salary

Murfreesboro vs Nashville: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Murfreesboro, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Murfreesboro, TN
$78,698
$37.83/hr
Nashville, TN
$80,118
$38.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMurfreesboro, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$78,698$80,118
Hourly Rate$37.83$38.52
Entry Level (P10)$52,832$55,050
25th Percentile$62,719$67,004
75th Percentile$100,733$99,963
Top Earner (P90)$121,982$129,022
Total Employed2911,290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Murfreesboro ($78,698) and Nashville ($80,118) accountant salaries.MurfreesboroNashvilleMedian Salary$78,698$80,118Entry Level (P10)$52,832$55,050Top Earner (P90)$121,982$129,022US Median $85,864

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murfreesboro.

The salary gap between Murfreesboro and Nashville is $1,420 (1.80%). Nashville's median is -6.69% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Murfreesboro spans $69,150,Nashville spans $73,972. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Murfreesboro
P10 (Entry)$52,832
P25$62,719
Median$78,698
P75$100,733
P90 (Top)$121,982
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$55,050
P25$67,004
Median$80,118
P75$99,963
P90 (Top)$129,022

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murfreesboro ($85,728 effective) pays 3.08% more than Nashville ($83,163 effective).

Murfreesboro
Nominal: $78,698
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $85,728
Nashville
Nominal: $80,118
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $83,163

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Murfreesboro if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,728)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,118/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,022)
  • Larger job market (11,290 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Murfreesboro grew 13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Murfreesboro, TN

+13.8%

$67,396 (2024) → $76,696 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+19.4%

$65,380 (2019) → $78,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Murfreesboro or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median accountant salary at $80,118/year, compared to Murfreesboro at $78,698/year — a difference of $1,420 (1.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Murfreesboro and Nashville?

Murfreesboro accountants earn $37.83/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $38.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Murfreesboro to Nashville as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Murfreesboro and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Murfreesboro = $85,728, Nashville = $83,163), job availability (29 vs 11,290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Murfreesboro vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $52,832 in Murfreesboro and $55,050 in Nashville. The Nashville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA

Career Analyst

Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov