A 1,040-home gated community in Murrieta with three distinct neighborhoods — often compared directly to The Colony, which sits nearby on the same I-15 corridor. Murrieta Hot Springs typically comes in at a lower HOA fee than The Colony because it does not carry the cost of 24-hour staffed gate security. Here is the real cost breakdown.
Murrieta Hot Springs and The Colony are frequently compared because they are both large gated communities in the same city at similar price points. The Colony's HOA premium is largely explained by 24-hour staffed gate security. Murrieta Hot Springs' lower HOA reflects electronic gate access instead. At $510,000 without Prop 19 transfer:
| Cost Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax (Prop 13 base 1%) | $5,100 | $425 |
| Voter-approved bond overrides (~0.2%) | $1,020 | $85 |
| Mello-Roos CFD (verify specific parcel) | $0–$2,000 | $0–$167 |
| HOA (~$285/month estimated) | $3,420 | $285 |
| Homeowners insurance (estimated) | $2,550 | $213 |
| Estimated all-in monthly (excl. mortgage) | ~$12,090–$14,090 | ~$1,008–$1,174 |
Murrieta Hot Springs was developed in phases, resulting in three distinct neighborhood sections with varying ages, architectural styles, and price ranges. Understanding which neighborhood you are buying in matters: different sections may have different sub-HOA fees, different amenity access specifics, and different community character. When researching listings, confirm which neighborhood section the home is in and whether there are sub-association fees on top of the master HOA.
Buyers comparing Murrieta Hot Springs to The Colony typically find that The Colony commands $30,000–$60,000 higher prices for comparable square footage. The HOA fee gap is $60–$80/month. The Colony's advantages: 24-hour staffed gate, golf course setting, stronger brand recognition among IE buyers. Murrieta Hot Springs' advantages: lower ongoing cost, comparable location, similar amenity package. The full comparison is on the head-to-head page.
Our IE specialists can compare Murrieta Hot Springs against The Colony and pull CFD figures for specific parcels.
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