Murrieta CA vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Sandy
0.8%
Sandy +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 10.3% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.7% | 0.8% | Sandy + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.5% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $111,242 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $50,592 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 45.7% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 8.7% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while sandy offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $672,082. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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