Murrieta CA vs Springfield MO — 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%

Springfield, MO

Missouri · Population: 169,432

  • Median HH Income$45,984
  • Median Home Price$245,279
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+30.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Murrieta
84,304
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Springfield
30.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Springfield
42.9%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
Springfield
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Springfield
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Springfield
17.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Springfield
45.6 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +

Which City is Right for You?

Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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 & Springfield