Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 76.6% | 22.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $28,255 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 17.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $552,845 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Moreno Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Moreno Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 39.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.0% | Moreno Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Moreno Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 36.9 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Moreno Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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