El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 84,304 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 46.0 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 15.9% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 3.6% | 0.7% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 10.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $690,322 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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