Bakersfield CA vs Moreno Valley CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Moreno Valley, CA
California · Population: 210,378
- Median HH Income$87,477
- Median Home Price$552,845
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+17.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
210,378
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
32.1
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 210,378 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.1 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 46.9% | 22.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $28,255 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 17.3% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $552,845 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Moreno Valley
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Moreno Valley
2388
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Moreno Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.0% | Moreno Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 36.9 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Moreno Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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