Murrieta CA vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 14.5% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 63.5% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 5.8% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Tie
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $100,985 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $41,869 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.6% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 7.3% | Tie |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 32.2% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Murrieta +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Murrieta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Murrieta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 17.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 15.2% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.6% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 32.8 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Murrieta is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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