Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Murrieta, CA
It is a 91 mi drive, roughly 1h 50m, between Los Angeles, CA and Murrieta, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
91 mi Β· 1h 50m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, CA 91, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Murrieta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Murrieta at 106.442 vs Los Angeles at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $952,183 to $688,358 moving to Murrieta.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 15.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Los Angeles (63.8Β°F) and Murrieta (65.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.15 |
Murrieta households earn about 6.3% more than Los Angeles at the median β $80,366 β $109,780 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 27.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 91 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Murrieta compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Murrieta more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta is 6.3% lower than Los Angeles (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 91 mi and the route typically takes 1h 50m via I 15 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 36.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· Murrieta, CA.