Abilene TX vs Murrieta CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 84,304 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 46.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 66.6% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 10.3% | 0.7% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 10.1% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.4% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $690,322 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.1% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 24.9 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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