Murrieta CA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Orem
10.5%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Orem
77.1%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Orem
1.9%
Orem +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 86,973 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 10.5% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 77.1% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 1.9% | Orem + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 1.6% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $70,053 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $33,579 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.7% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 25.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 17.1% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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