Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 84,304 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 46.0 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 15.9% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 28.4% | 0.7% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 10.1% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $690,322 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.4% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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