Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 210,378 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 27.7% | 22.4% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 63.0% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $28,255 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.4% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 17.3% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $552,845 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Moreno Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 39.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.6% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.6% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 36.9 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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