Grand Rapids MI 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Moreno Valley
32.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 61.0% | 22.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $28,255 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 17.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $552,845 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 39.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Moreno Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 36.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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