Murrieta CA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Portland
12.4%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 12.4% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 70.1% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $88,792 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $55,312 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.8% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 53.5% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 52.8% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 18.3% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.7% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.7% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 26.5 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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