Murrieta CA vs Renton WA — 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%

Renton, WA

Washington · Population: 75,721

  • Median HH Income$162,099
  • Median Home Price$765,686
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+74.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Murrieta
84,304
Murrieta +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Renton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Renton
$89,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Murrieta +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Renton
45.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
Renton
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Renton
40.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Renton
25.4 min

Which City is Right for You?

Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while murrieta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $690,322. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Murrieta & Renton