Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
79.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
8.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 84,304 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 46.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 79.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 0.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
$158,461
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
$113,918
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
69.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $158,461 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $113,918 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 69.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $690,322 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 33.4% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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