Murrieta CA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 39.3 | Plano + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 79.2% | 53.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Plano
$108,649
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Plano
$57,753
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Plano
59.2%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $108,649 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $57,753 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 59.2% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.3% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 27.6 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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