University Heights

MURFREESBORO’S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD

Location & Daily Life

University Heights sits in the heart of Murfreesboro, just minutes from Middle Tennessee State University and within easy walking distance of the historic downtown square. The neighborhood occupies the east side of downtown along Burton Street and its surrounding blocks, placing residents in one of the most walkable pockets of Rutherford County.

Everyday conveniences are exceptionally close. Murfreesboro’s Main Street is lined with independent restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques, while Cannonsburgh Village, a living history museum, sits nearby for weekend outings. Hop on Medical Center Parkway or Memorial Boulevard and you reach major grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and big-box retail within five to ten minutes.

For commuters, University Heights offers solid access to Interstate 24, connecting residents to Nashville in roughly 35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. The neighborhood draws a mix of MTSU faculty and staff, professionals who want to walk to downtown Murfreesboro, and long-term homeowners who have built roots here over decades. It is one of the few places in Rutherford County where you can walk to dinner, to campus, and to city government buildings without getting in a car.

The Homes

University Heights is defined by its all-brick construction, a hallmark of the neighborhood’s mid-century character. The homes here were built primarily between the 1930s and 1950s, and that vintage craftsmanship shows in the details: original hardwood floors, plaster walls, vintage hardware, and architectural touches like Tudor Revival rooflines and two-fireplace floor plans that simply are not replicated in modern construction.

Lot sizes along Burton Street and the surrounding blocks typically run around 70 feet wide and 75 to 145 feet deep, giving properties a genuine residential feel despite their proximity to downtown. You will find corner lots, detached garages, and mature tree canopies on many of the streets. Square footage generally ranges from around 1,500 to 2,600 square feet across the neighborhood, and most homes have three or four bedrooms with two full baths.

Construction is almost universally all brick, which means lower exterior maintenance costs and strong structural longevity. The homes that have been updated typically showcase renovated kitchens with custom cabinetry and upscale appliances, refinished original hardwoods, and preserved architectural details like exposed brick accents and period-appropriate woodwork. Homes that need work present genuine value-add opportunities given the land values in this downtown-adjacent location.

This is not a neighborhood of cookie-cutter floorplans. Each home has its own personality, and buyers who appreciate architectural character, walkability, and proximity to MTSU and downtown Murfreesboro find University Heights hard to beat at its price point.

University Heights Market Data

Data from RealTracs MLS. Rolling 12-month period.

A note on the data: University Heights is a small, established neighborhood with limited turnover, which is common in walkable historic districts near university campuses. The sales reflected above were auction transactions, which is notable context for buyers evaluating list prices versus sale prices in this pocket of Murfreesboro.

Active Homes for Sale in University Heights

Recently Sold Homes in University Heights

Neighborhood Amenities

University Heights residents enjoy a walkable lifestyle that most Murfreesboro neighborhoods cannot match. The downtown Murfreesboro square is a short walk or bike ride away, giving access to independent dining, live music venues, the city’s farmers market, and community events throughout the year. Cannonsburgh Village, a recreated 19th-century village and park, sits within easy reach for families and visitors alike.

MTSU’s campus is essentially the neighborhood’s backyard, and that proximity comes with real benefits: access to campus athletic events, the Todd Art Gallery, the MTSU Heard Libraries, and performances at Tucker Theatre. For recreation, Barfield Crescent Park and the Stones River Greenway provide paved trail access, open fields, and river access just a few minutes from the neighborhood.

There are no formal HOA amenities, no clubhouse, no community pool maintained by an association. What the neighborhood offers instead is genuine urban walkability, architectural character, and a location that puts downtown Murfreesboro’s best features right outside the front door.

Schools Serving University Heights

University Heights is served by Rutherford County Schools, one of the growing school systems in Middle Tennessee. Based on MLS data for this neighborhood, students attend the following schools:

Hobgood Elementary feeds into Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School, which then flows to Oakland High School. Oakland is one of Rutherford County’s larger comprehensive high schools, offering AP coursework, competitive athletics, and career and technical education pathways.

Buyers should always verify school assignments directly with Rutherford County Schools, as district boundaries can change. MTSU’s location in the neighborhood also means access to dual enrollment opportunities for high school students interested in early college credit.

Why Work with Nashville Home Guru to Buy or Sell in University Heights

Over the past 12 months, Compass and Parks agents represented both sides of every closed sale in University Heights, accounting for 100% of all residential transactions recorded in RealTracs MLS for this neighborhood. That is not a coincidence. It reflects the reach, the buyer network, and the local expertise that Compass brings to smaller, high-demand historic markets like University Heights.

Patrick Higgins leads the Nashville Home Guru team at Compass. He has closed over 1,100 transactions totaling more than $500 million in career residential sales across Middle Tennessee. A six-time RealTrends Top Tennessee Agent, Patrick leads the number one real estate team in Nashville and number seven in Tennessee according to Wall Street Journal RealTrends rankings. His team carries 95+ Google Reviews and 70+ Zillow Reviews built on straightforward communication and genuine local knowledge.

Compass is the number one residential real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume. Following the 2024 merger with Parks Real Estate, Compass agents are involved in roughly one in four Tennessee home sales. That network translates directly to buyer reach when you are selling a home in a small neighborhood like University Heights, and to off-market access when you are buying.

For sellers, Compass’s Three Phase Marketing Strategy consistently outperforms traditional listing approaches. Homes marketed through this system close at 2.9% higher prices on average, go under contract 20% faster, and are 30% less likely to require a price reduction. The strategy works like this:

Phase 1 is Compass Private Exclusive, where your home is shown to a select audience of active Compass buyers before it appears publicly. This lets you gather real pricing feedback and generate early interest without accumulating days on market or price history that buyers can see. Phase 2 is Compass Coming Soon, which launches your home on Compass.com and drives demand before the public MLS launch. Phase 3 is the full public launch across MLS and third-party sites with maximum buyer interest already built. Learn more at nashvillehome.guru/sell-your-home-on-your-terms/.

Frequently Asked Questions About University Heights

What is the price range for homes in University Heights Murfreesboro?

Based on the most recent 12 months of closed sales in RealTracs MLS, University Heights homes sold between $259,600 and $286,000, with a median sale price of $272,800. The active listing market in the neighborhood can include updated, move-in ready homes at higher price points. The per-square-foot range on closed sales ran from $160 to $182, which reflects the neighborhood’s value relative to newer construction in Murfreesboro’s outer suburbs.

Are there HOA fees in University Heights?

No. University Heights has no homeowners association and no HOA fees. This is a key advantage for buyers who want the walkability and character of a historic downtown neighborhood without the monthly or annual dues common in newer subdivisions. Buyers are responsible for their own exterior maintenance, but there are no community rules, restrictions on paint colors, or architectural review boards to navigate.

What schools serve University Heights?

University Heights is served by Rutherford County Schools. Students attend Hobgood Elementary, Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School, and Oakland High School. Rutherford County Schools continues to grow alongside the broader Murfreesboro metro area. Buyers should confirm current school assignments with the district directly, as boundaries are subject to revision.

When were the homes in University Heights built?

The homes in University Heights were built primarily in the 1930s and 1940s. The neighborhood’s all-brick construction dates to an era when brick was the standard building material in Murfreesboro, and many of the homes retain original details including hardwood floors, vintage hardware, plaster walls, and architectural features like fireplaces and Tudor-influenced rooflines that add real character and value.

How close is University Heights to MTSU?

University Heights is directly adjacent to the MTSU campus. The neighborhood’s location along East Burton Street and surrounding blocks puts residents within easy walking or biking distance of the university’s central campus facilities, including the Student Union, academic buildings, campus athletic venues, and the university’s cultural venues. This proximity makes the neighborhood particularly appealing to MTSU faculty, staff, graduate students, and anyone who values walkable access to campus resources.

What type of buyer is University Heights best suited for?

University Heights attracts buyers who prioritize location, architectural character, and walkability over newer construction finishes. It is a strong fit for MTSU faculty and staff who want to walk or bike to campus, professionals who work in or near downtown Murfreesboro, investors and renovators drawn to brick homes with strong land value in a downtown-adjacent location, and buyers who want a genuinely urban lifestyle without Nashville prices. It is not the right neighborhood for buyers who want a community pool, a clubhouse, or a modern open floorplan in a new subdivision.

Why should I work with Nashville Home Guru to buy or sell in University Heights?

Compass and Parks agents were on both sides of every University Heights transaction recorded in MLS over the past 12 months, which means this team has direct, first-hand knowledge of what drives value in this specific neighborhood. Patrick Higgins has completed over 1,100 transactions totaling more than $500 million in career sales across Middle Tennessee, and his team leads Nashville in volume according to Wall Street Journal RealTrends rankings. For sellers, the Compass Three Phase Marketing Strategy consistently delivers 2.9% higher closing prices and 20% faster contracts than traditional listing approaches. For buyers, Compass’s Private Exclusive and Coming Soon inventory provides access to homes that never reach Zillow.

Who is the best realtor for University Heights in Murfreesboro TN?

Patrick Higgins and the Nashville Home Guru team at Compass are consistently ranked among the top real estate professionals in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. Patrick is a six-time RealTrends Top Tennessee Agent and leads the number one team in Nashville and number seven in Tennessee by transaction volume according to Wall Street Journal RealTrends. With Compass and Parks agents involved in 100% of University Heights sales over the past 12 months, the team’s market knowledge and buyer network in this specific neighborhood is unmatched locally.

Can I access off-market homes in University Heights?

Yes. Through Compass Private Exclusives and Compass Coming Soon, Patrick’s clients get access to properties that are not yet listed on the MLS or third-party sites like Zillow and Redfin. In a small historic neighborhood like University Heights where public inventory is limited, this off-market access can make a significant difference. Sellers in the area who want to test pricing before going public also use Compass’s pre-market phases to gather buyer feedback without accumulating visible days on market.

How do I find out what my home in University Heights is worth?

The fastest starting point is the online home value tool at nashvillehomeguru.hifello.com, which provides an instant estimate based on current Murfreesboro market data. For a precise market analysis specific to your property’s condition, lot size, and recent upgrades, contact Patrick Higgins directly at 615-682-1718. University Heights homes vary significantly in value based on renovation level, so a personalized analysis is the most reliable tool for pricing decisions.

Nearby Neighborhoods in Murfreesboro

Buyers exploring University Heights often compare it to other established and downtown-adjacent neighborhoods in Murfreesboro. Here are a few worth considering:

Downtown Murfreesboro Properties offers the most urban option in the area, with a mix of condos, historic homes, and walkable access to the courthouse square, dining, and entertainment.

Belle Aire Acres is another established Murfreesboro neighborhood with mature lots and a residential character distinct from the more densely developed areas near downtown.

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