Albany NY 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)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Albany
53.0%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 84,304 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 46.0 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 53.0% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 26.6% | 0.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.1% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Murrieta
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $690,322 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.4% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.9 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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