Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Murrieta
15.9%
White
Irving
36.7%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Murrieta
8.1%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 84,304 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 46.0 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 15.9% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 12.9% | 0.7% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 8.1% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 10.1% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $690,322 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Irving +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Irving, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 33.4% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.0% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Irving, TX | 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 irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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