Murrieta CA vs South Bend IN — 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%

South Bend, IN

Indiana · Population: 102,866

  • Median HH Income$52,512
  • Median Home Price$194,972
  • Unemployment6.0%
  • Bachelor's+29.4%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Murrieta
84,304
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
South Bend
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
South Bend
29.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
South Bend
18.2%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
South Bend
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +

Which City is Right for You?

Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.

Compare More Cities

About Murrieta & South Bend