Murrieta CA vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Murrieta +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 71,542 | Murrieta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 4.2% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 0.7% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 1.4% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 7.7% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $55,578 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $31,499 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.7% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 18.7% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 22.7% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 35.9% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.4% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.5% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | St. Charles, MO | 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
Murrieta +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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%.
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