Murrieta CA vs Port St. Lucie 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Port St. Lucie +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 43.7 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 79.2% | 60.0% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.2% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $78,137 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $36,352 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 8.5% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 26.8% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $327,700 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.1% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 14.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.9% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Port St. Lucie, 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 32.0 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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