Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Murrieta
84,304
Murrieta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Murrieta
46.0
Murrieta +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 84,304 | Murrieta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 46.0 | Murrieta + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 74.1% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 8.8% | 0.7% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 10.1% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $690,322 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 53.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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