Garland TX 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Moreno Valley
210,378
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Moreno Valley
23.9%
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 210,378 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 23.9% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 22.4% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 5.5% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $28,255 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 17.3% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $552,845 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Garland, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Moreno Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.6% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.0% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 15.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Moreno Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 36.9 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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