Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 84,304 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 46.0 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 15.9% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 21.1% | 0.7% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 10.1% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $690,322 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Murrieta
10.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 33.4% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.0% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.0% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while alexandria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $679,447. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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