Grand Rapids MI 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 84,304 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 46.0 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 61.0% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 17.9% | 0.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 10.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $690,322 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 53.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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