High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
High Point
46.1%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Murrieta
8.1%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 84,304 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 46.0 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 46.1% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 32.7% | 0.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 8.1% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.1% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $690,322 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 53.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | High Point, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.9 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point 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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