Murrieta CA vs North Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 12.2% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 39.1% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.5% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $62,789 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $35,740 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.5% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 28.0% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 48.5% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 35.2% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.2% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 17.5% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 15.3% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.8% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.3% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | North Charleston, SC | 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.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 26.8 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Murrieta, CA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Murrieta, CAChicago, IL vs Murrieta, CAHouston, TX vs Murrieta, CAMurrieta, CA vs Phoenix, AZMurrieta, CA vs Philadelphia, PA