Moving from Palmdale, CA to Murrieta, CA
It is a 107 mi drive, roughly 2h 17m, between Palmdale, 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.
107 mi Β· 2h 17m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 138, I 215 TRUCK, I 215 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.3% cheaper overall in Murrieta than Palmdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palmdale | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 15.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 3.15 |
Murrieta households earn about 6.3% more than Palmdale at the median β $81,151 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
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 107 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $501,257 in Palmdale β a 37.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Murrieta compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 107 mi and the route typically takes 2h 17m via CA 138 and I 215 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Murrieta more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta is 6.3% lower than Palmdale (106.442 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $81,151 in Palmdale β a 35.3% 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA Β· Murrieta, CA.