Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- 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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
79.2%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 84,304 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 46.0 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.7% | 79.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 0.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $690,322 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 53.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
7.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 7.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 24.9 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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