Murrieta CA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Spokane Valley +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 5.1% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 0.7% | 1.4% | Spokane Valley + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 1.7% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $70,722 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $35,235 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.9% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.9% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 24.8% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 35.1% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.5% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 18.1% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 7.7% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.2% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.4% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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