Murrieta CA vs Santa Ana CA — 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Santa Ana
42.9
Santa Ana +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 42.9 | Santa Ana + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 79.2% | 66.9% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
$109,739
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
$90,657
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
68.9%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $109,739 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $90,657 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.1% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 11.6% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 68.9% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $865,610 | Murrieta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 28.8% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 18.7% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 20.7% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.6% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 28.0 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while murrieta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $690,322. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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