Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 46.4% | 22.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 17.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $28,255 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 17.3% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $552,845 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Moreno Valley
503
Moreno Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Moreno Valley
2388
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Moreno Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Moreno Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Moreno Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 39.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.0% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.6% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Moreno Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 36.9 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Moreno Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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