Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 84,304 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 46.0 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 25.0% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 62.9% | 0.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 10.1% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $690,322 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Murrieta
503
Murrieta +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Murrieta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 24.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Murrieta is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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