Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Moreno Valley +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 14.5% | 22.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Black | 81.8% | 17.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Moreno Valley +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $28,255 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 17.3% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $552,845 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 503 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2388 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Moreno Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 39.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.0% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.6% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Moreno Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 36.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Moreno Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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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