Orange, CA vs. Murrieta, CA: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
This article provides a cost of living comparison between Orange and Murrieta, two cities in Southern California. It is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing the real-life cost of Orange vs Murrieta in 2025.
1. Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living. Here’s how typical rent and home prices compare in Orange and Murrieta:
| Housing Type | Orange | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Median 2BR Apartment Rent | $2,400 | $1,900 |
| Median 3BR Home Price | $950,000 | $650,000 |
🏆 Winner: Murrieta. Housing costs are significantly lower in Murrieta compared to Orange, with savings of $500/month on a typical apartment and $300,000 on the median-priced home.
2. Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility bills can add up quickly. In Orange, expect to pay around $180/month for electricity, gas, water, and trash for a 2BR apartment. Costs are similar in Murrieta, averaging $160/month.
Both cities have warm summers, so air conditioning usage peaks from June to September. Many homes in Murrieta utilize solar panels to offset high summer electric bills.
🏆 Winner: Murrieta has a slight edge on utility costs, with bills averaging about $20/month lower than Orange.
3. Groceries and Daily Expenses
For a family of four, expect to budget around $1,000/month for groceries in Orange. Prices are about 5% lower in Murrieta, so the same items would cost roughly $950.
Eating out is fairly affordable in both cities, with a typical meal for two ranging from $40-60 at a mid-range restaurant. Fast food combo meals average $8 in Orange and $7.50 in Murrieta.
🏆 Winner: Murrieta offers modest savings on groceries and dining out compared to Orange.
4. Taxes and Fees
California has relatively high income taxes and sales tax rates. Property taxes are more favorable – Orange’s effective property tax rate is 0.71%, while Murrieta’s is 0.87%. For a $650K home, that’s an annual difference of $1,040.
Many newer neighborhoods in Orange have Mello-Roos taxes, which are additional property taxes to fund local infrastructure. These can add 0.2% or more to your effective property tax rate.
🏆 Winner: Orange has a lower baseline property tax rate, but Mello-Roos districts are more common. It’s roughly a tie.
5. Cost Summary Table
| Category | Orange | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (3BR Home) | $3,800 | $2,600 |
| Utilities | $180 | $160 |
| Groceries | $1,000 | $950 |
| Transportation | $500 | $450 |
| Taxes (Property) | $560 | $470 |
| Misc Expenses | $800 | $700 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $6,840 | $5,330 |
Note: Figures above are based on gross monthly income (pre-tax) for a family of four.
6. Lifestyle Fit
While Murrieta offers significant cost savings, there are tradeoffs to consider:
- Orange is more walkable and bike-friendly, while Murrieta is car-dependent
- Homes in Murrieta are newer and more spacious on average
- Commuting to central Orange County takes 20-30 minutes from Orange, but over an hour from Murrieta
- Summer temperatures are about 5°F hotter in Murrieta
7. FAQ
Is Orange more affordable than Murrieta?
No, Murrieta has a lower overall cost of living, primarily due to cheaper housing. A family moving from Orange to Murrieta could save over $1,500/month on expenses.
Which city has lower rent?
Rents are about 20% lower in Murrieta. The median 2BR apartment rents for $1,900/month in Murrieta compared to $2,400 in Orange.
Where is it cheaper to buy a home?
Murrieta has significantly lower home prices. The median 3BR house costs around $650,000 in Murrieta versus $950,000 in Orange – a difference of $300,000.
8. Conclusion
Murrieta offers a significantly lower cost of living than Orange, with potential savings of over $1,500/month for a typical family. The biggest factor is housing, with home prices and rents 30-40% lower in Murrieta.
However, Murrieta is less walkable and has longer commutes to central Orange County. Homes are newer and larger, but summer temperatures are a bit hotter. Ultimately, the best fit depends on your budget, lifestyle, and priorities.
For more details, see our full guides on the cost of living in Orange and monthly budget examples for Orange residents. These articles provide additional context to help you make an informed decision on where to live in Southern California.