Murrieta CA vs Westminster 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Westminster
1.2%
Westminster +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 8.2% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 74.7% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 1.2% | Westminster + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.7% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $96,145 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $51,982 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 44.0% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Murrieta +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Murrieta +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Westminster, 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%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.1% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.7% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.1% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Westminster, 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 28.6 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Murrieta is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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