Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
23.9%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 23.9% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 22.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Black | 17.1% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 59.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $28,255 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 17.3% | Moreno Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $552,845 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Moreno Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.0% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 15.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 36.9 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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