Murrieta CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Murrieta
84,304
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Murrieta
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Murrieta
46.0
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Murrieta
15.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Murrieta
0.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Murrieta
10.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Murrieta
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,304 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 15.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 79.2% | 58.0% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 0.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 6.9% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Murrieta
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $158,461 | $67,544 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $113,918 | $35,825 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 19.8% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.6% | 34.1% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Murrieta
$690,322
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $690,322 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 42.4% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Murrieta
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
15.6%
Murrieta +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.4% | 35.3% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 19.9% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 8.7% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Murrieta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.5% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Murrieta
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Murrieta
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Murrieta, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.9 min | 27.3 min | Murrieta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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