Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Murrieta, CA
🏆 Murrieta leads 13 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Murrieta
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,925 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
111,899
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $186k less ($381,800 vs $567,700)
Rent averages $653/mo less ($1,497 vs $2,150)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Murrieta
Cons
Median income trails Murrieta by $33,550/yr
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.7%)
Murrieta, CA
Pros
72% less violent crime than Modesto
Households earn $33,550 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (183.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (6.7%)
More college-educated — 29.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 56°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $567,700
Higher rents — median is $2,150/mo
Longer commutes — 35.0 min average each way
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Modesto
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$186k less
$381,800 vs $567,700
Modesto
Summer Heat
7.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 87.2°F
Murrieta
Median Income
$33,550
$106,925 vs $73,375/yr
Murrieta
Violent Crime
72% lower
183.7 vs 655.7 per 100k
Murrieta
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
6.7% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Murrieta, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $567,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,150⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $106,925 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 6.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 35.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 13.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 47 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 45 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 29.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 92.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Murrieta Valley Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 67.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 87.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 13.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 111,899 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 67.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% | 27.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Murrieta's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Murrieta leads 13 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 10 and Murrieta wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Modesto to Murrieta or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $567,700 median home), income ($73,375 vs $106,925), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Murrieta, CA are about 353 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.