Murrieta CA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 12.2% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 59.4% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $83,857 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $44,756 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.3% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.0% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 33.5% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 37.3% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.9% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 18.7% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.3% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.9% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 31.1 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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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