Murrieta CA vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Sugar Land
42.5
Sugar Land +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 42.5 | Sugar Land + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 79.2% | 40.6% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
$137,511
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $137,511 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $60,258 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.5% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 62.4% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.2% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 8.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 31.6 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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