Living in Murrieta, CA

Murrieta is the 277th-largest city in the US, home to about 114,000 people in 2025. It has grown 2.8% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (106.4 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

114,124+2.8% since 2020

Median home value

$639,8005.6 years of median income

Median rent

$2,388/morent plus utilities

Household income

$114,081median, per year

Price level

106.4US average = 100

January / July highs

68° / 87°lows 47° / 60°

Average commute

37 min17% work from home

State income tax

13.3%top rate, graduated

Cost of living in Murrieta

The median home in Murrieta is worth $639,800 and the median household earns $114,081 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,388 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area at 106.4, with housing at 129.3 and goods at 101.4 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $79,800 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.

All items106.4

Housing129.3

Goods101.4

Utilities148.6

Other services101.3

What would my salary be worth in Murrieta?

Murrieta weather

Average highs run from 68°F in January to 87°F in July, and January nights average 47°F. It gets 15 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 60 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are October to June.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Murrieta

People and work

The median resident is 36.6 years old, and 33% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 70% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 37 minutes; 17% of workers work from home.

Median age

36.6277th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

33%adults 25+

Homeowners

70%of households

People per sq mile

3,22435.4 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

0%1% walk, 0.1% bike

Unemployment

6.8%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

5.4%of residents

Typical home built

2000median year

Who moves to Murrieta, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Anaheim (Orange County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Anaheim (Orange County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Murrieta

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• University of California-Riverside 29 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Mt San Jacinto Community College District 22 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Saddleback College 26 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Riverside City College 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• California State University-San Marcos 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park Zoo 34 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Moreno Valley College 22 miles
  BeenWant to go
• MiraCosta College 26 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Irvine Valley College 33 miles
  BeenWant to go
• California Baptist University 28 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Norco College 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Legoland California Theme park 31 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Murrieta

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Murrieta

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Murrieta

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 2, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around January 1 and the first frost comes around January 30.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Fallbrook 5 NE, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Murrieta.

Wildfire smoke in Murrieta

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Murrieta on about 38 days a year, including about 6 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Murrieta

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 36,145 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Murrieta

Downtown Murrieta is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Temecula Valley Unified School District (26,298 students), Hemet Unified School District (22,891 students), Lake Elsinore Unified School District (20,559 students), Menifee Union School District (12,253 students), Fallbrook Union Elementary School District (5,042 students), Romoland Elementary School District (4,800 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Murrieta's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Murrieta's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• Elk Grove, CA74% matchCompare
• Tracy, CA73% matchCompare
• Roseville, CA73% matchCompare
• Rocklin, CA72% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Murrieta

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park International Dark Sky Park 51 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Borrego Springs International Dark Sky Community 53 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Joshua Tree National Park International Dark Sky Park 78 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

Ski resorts near Murrieta

• Snow Valley Mountain Resort 47 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Rim Nordic Ski Area 47 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Snow Summit 50 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Bear Mountain 50 miles
  BeenWant to go

Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.

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Pros and cons of living in Murrieta

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data 9 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
• Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 68°F.

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Cons

• Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
• Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
• Data Commutes are long: 37 minutes each way on average.
• Data High natural hazard risk in Riverside County (FEMA rates it very high), led by wildfire, inland flooding and earthquake.
• Data Air quality is a concern: 136 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).

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Murrieta report card from locals

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Cities near Murrieta

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Murrieta ranks 8th of 62 in our best suburbs of Riverside ranking.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare Murrieta with another city

Murrieta vsCompare

Frequently asked questions

Is Murrieta a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show 9 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are long commutes. Compare Murrieta side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Murrieta?

The Census Bureau estimates Murrieta had 114,124 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 110,989 in April 2020 (+2.8%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Murrieta?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $79,800 in the Murrieta area. The median household here earns $114,081.

When is the best time to visit Murrieta?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, October to June are the most comfortable months. July averages 87°F and January 68°F for daytime highs.

What county is Murrieta in?

Murrieta is in Riverside County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Murrieta in?

Murrieta is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Murrieta?

About 1,096 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does California have a state income tax?

Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Murrieta. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Fallbrook 5 NE, CA station; snowfall from Elsinore, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.