Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Moreno Valley
210,378
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Moreno Valley
23.9%
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 210,378 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 23.9% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 22.4% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 17.6% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $28,255 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 17.3% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $552,845 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Moreno Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.6% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.0% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 15.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 36.9 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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