Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Denver
62.9%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 84,304 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 46.0 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 62.9% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 8.8% | 0.7% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 10.1% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $690,322 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Murrieta
503
Murrieta +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Murrieta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 33.4% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.0% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.0% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Murrieta is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
Compare More Cities
Denver, CO vs New York, NYDenver, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Denver, CODenver, CO vs Houston, TXDenver, CO vs Phoenix, AZDenver, CO vs Philadelphia, PA