Moving from Murrieta, CA to Anaheim, CA
The drive from Murrieta to Anaheim covers 48 mi in about 1h. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
48 mi Β· 1h by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Murrieta | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.7% pricier overall in Anaheim than Murrieta on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Anaheim typical home at $950,504 is 6.7% above Murrieta at $688,358 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Murrieta -1.5%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Murrieta | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.3" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.1Β°F vs 67.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Anaheim sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murrieta | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,621 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $109,780 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 36 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.15 | 3.26 |
Income steps down 6.7%: $109,780 in Murrieta vs $90,583 in Anaheim.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 does the job market in Anaheim compare to Murrieta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Murrieta vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $109,780 in Murrieta β a 17.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Murrieta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $688,358 in Murrieta β a 38.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Murrieta, CA?
The driving distance is 48 mi and the route typically takes 1h via I 15 and CA 91. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Murrieta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 6.7% higher than Murrieta (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Murrieta to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 48 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Murrieta.
City profiles: Murrieta, CA Β· Anaheim, CA.