Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 84,304 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 46.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 15.9% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 34.1% | 0.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $690,322 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.4% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.6% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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