Des Moines, WA vs Murrieta, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Murrieta
64.4
#1695 nationally
Murrieta leads in crime level (5.0 vs 8.1). Des Moines leads in walk score (41 vs 28). Murrieta leads in median household income ($106,925 vs $81,362).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Murrieta, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 64.4 (#1695) |
| Population | 31,988 | 111,878 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $694,424 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $106,925 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 35 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | 5.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 150 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | R+1.3 |
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →
D
64.4 Score
Murrieta, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$694,424
Population
111,878
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
28
Pacific
View Murrieta, CA →