Murrieta CA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 41.3 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 15.1% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 59.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $67,521 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $34,474 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.9% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 11.6% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 22.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 36.5% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 17.6% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 14.2% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.5% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 29.6 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Palm Bay 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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