Murrieta CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Washington
13.3%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 13.3% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 39.1% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $106,287 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $75,253 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.5% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 14.5% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 63.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 41.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 24.0% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Washington, DC | 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 washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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