Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Independence
72.2%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 84,304 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 46.0 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 72.2% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 10.8% | 0.7% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 10.1% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $690,322 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 53.1% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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