Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 84,304 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 46.0 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 15.8% | 0.7% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 10.1% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $690,322 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 53.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Murrieta
503
Murrieta +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Murrieta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 33.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.0% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | 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.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Murrieta is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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