Murrieta CA vs Waco 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Waco
9.8%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 9.8% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 54.0% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.0% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $51,468 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $28,819 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 24.0% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 28.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 48.9% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 36.8% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 20.4% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 20.4% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.1% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Waco, 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Waco 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%.
Compare More Cities
Murrieta, CA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Murrieta, CAChicago, IL vs Murrieta, CAHouston, TX vs Murrieta, CAMurrieta, CA vs Phoenix, AZMurrieta, CA vs Philadelphia, PA