Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Murrieta
79.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 84,304 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 46.0 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 83.6% | 79.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 0.7% | Boise + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.4% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $690,322 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 53.1% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Boise, ID | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 503 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2388 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Murrieta
7.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Murrieta
10.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.9 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA