Murrieta CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 9.1% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 61.6% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 7.2% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 8.9% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $90,685 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $47,372 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 8.4% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 40.4% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 36.5% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.8% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 8.3% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.1% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 25.0 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Virginia Beach 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%.
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