Murrieta CA vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Peoria
42.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Peoria
72.6%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Peoria
3.4%
Peoria +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Peoria
5.8%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 42.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 11.3% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 72.6% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 3.4% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 5.8% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Peoria
$93,403
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Peoria
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $93,403 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $45,831 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 8.4% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 35.5% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Peoria
$488,428
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $488,428 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Peoria
10.6%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.5% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.3% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.6% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 31.2 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,428. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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