Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Madison
73.0%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 84,304 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 46.0 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 73.0% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 7.1% | 0.7% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.4% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $690,322 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 503 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2388 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 33.4% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.0% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.0% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.6% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Madison, WI | 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
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.9 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
Madison, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Madison, WIChicago, IL vs Madison, WIHouston, TX vs Madison, WIMadison, WI vs Phoenix, AZMadison, WI vs Philadelphia, PA