Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Murrieta, CA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Murrieta

California
175

San Jose is 45% more expensive than Murrieta.

$2,617/mo ↑ 12%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↓ 11%
$141,565/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↓ 22%
$1,187,800 ↑ 96%
Home Value
$606,900 ↓ 49%
$2,775/mo ↑ 17%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↓ 14%
990,054
Population
111,621

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $287/month cheaper in Murrieta, saving renters about $3,444/year.

Median household income is $31,785/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Murrieta — common questions

Is San Jose or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Murrieta is cheaper to live in with an index of 175 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Murrieta?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $287/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Murrieta?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $31,785/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Murrieta details →

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