Cost of Living in Murrieta, CA

Population 111,621 · California · Data vintage 2023

190
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Murrieta run well above the national baseline, with a median of $607,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $109,780 place the city among the better-paid California metros. At 7.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Cost Overview

Housing 199
Rent 177

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Murrieta

The median home value in Murrieta is $606,900 — 99% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,330/month, 77% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $109,780/year is 47% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Murrieta has a cost of living index of 190 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 90% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$606,900
99% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$680,928
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,330/mo
77% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,530/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 69.3%
Renter-occupied 30.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,330
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,944/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
40.2 min
49% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.6%
Carpooled
8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
1.1%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
15.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$109,780
47% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,992
Unemployment Rate
7.1%
47% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor Force Participation
63.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.6%
Graduate degree 11.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36
Male median age 34.6
Female median age 37.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 79 — Moderate
17%
Good air days/yr
660
Max AQI recorded
98
PM2.5 days
207
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Murrieta, CA?

Murrieta has a cost index of 190 (100 = national average). It is 90% above the national average.

What is average rent in Murrieta, CA?

The median gross rent in Murrieta is $2,330 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Murrieta?

The median home value in Murrieta is $606,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Murrieta?

The median household income in Murrieta is $109,780 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Murrieta, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Murrieta is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Murrieta, CA affordable?

Murrieta is above average in cost of living, with an index of 190 — about 90% higher than the national average.

Murrieta at a Glance

Population
111,621
Median Income
$109,780
Home Value
$606,900
Median Rent
$2,330/mo
Unemployment
7.1%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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