Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 84,304 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 46.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 49.9% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 39.5% | 0.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $690,322 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia 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, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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