Irvine CA 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Murrieta
8.1%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 84,304 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 46.0 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 15.9% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 2.0% | 0.7% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 8.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 10.1% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Murrieta
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Murrieta
69.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 69.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Murrieta
$690,322
Murrieta +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $690,322 | Murrieta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Murrieta
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Murrieta
2388
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Murrieta
7.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Murrieta
10.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 33.4% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.0% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.0% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 7.5% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.6% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.0% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while murrieta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $690,322. On public safety, Murrieta is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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