Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 84,304 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 46.0 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 15.9% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 22.4% | 0.7% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 10.1% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $690,322 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 53.1% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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