Anaheim CA 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)

Anaheim, CA

California · Population: 344,553

  • Median HH Income$90,583
  • Median Home Price$952,227
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+28.7%

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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Anaheim +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Murrieta
8.1%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Murrieta
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Murrieta
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Murrieta
$690,322
Murrieta +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Murrieta
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Murrieta
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Murrieta
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +

Which City is Right for You?

Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while murrieta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $690,322. On public safety, Murrieta is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. 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, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Anaheim & Murrieta