Murrieta CA vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 5.7% | Murrieta + |
| White | 79.2% | 72.9% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 1.3% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 8.9% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $63,900 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $46,062 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.6% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 16.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 45.8% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 46.8% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 42.7% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.1% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 17.4% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.8% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.4% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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, 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