2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Murrieta, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Murrieta older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Murrieta is 6.0 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Murrieta or Santa Cruz?
- Murrieta housing costs are 52.8% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Murrieta or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Murrieta is 12.6 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Cruz.

Things to do in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz, California is an incredible city located in the heart of the Monterey Bay area. This beautiful city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning natural beaches or the charming downtown area. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Beach, Wilder Ranch State Park, and Seymour Marine Discovery Center. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Santa Cruz their home.

Things to do in Murrieta?
Murrieta, California is a picturesque city located in Riverside County. With year-round sunshine and mild temperatures, Murrieta provides the perfect environment to explore the great outdoors or simply relax. The city is home to some of the best shopping and dining options in the area as well as unique cultural attractions such as the Diamond Valley Lake Marine Preserve. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure or peaceful relaxation, Murrieta has something to offer everyone!

 Santa Cruz, CAMurrieta, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock111,096329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.45  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

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Over 5 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

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I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  More

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Reviews for Murrieta    39 Reviews

Paul · 
Over 2 years ago

Very expensive to rent here. Many apartments in Murrieta charge as much as $2,300 for a single bedroom. But this is California, so maybe it’s cheaper than LA or Orange  More

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I moved here for my wife's job. It's a cookie cutter middle class community that costs 2-3 times as much as Texas. Homes aren't custom. They are tract homes on small  More

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George · 

A great place to live and raise a family. It’s a quintessential bedroom community. Very safe. Violent crime is a rarity here. Property crime is very low here too.  More

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