Murrieta CA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 7.2% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 70.1% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.7% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $58,568 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $31,987 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 17.4% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 25.0% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 35.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.6% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 18.8% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 16.9% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.8% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.9% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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