Moreno Valley CA vs Newark NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Moreno Valley, CA
California · Population: 210,378
- Median HH Income$87,477
- Median Home Price$552,845
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+17.3%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.8 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 22.4% | 16.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Black | 17.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 1.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 37.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Moreno Valley +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Newark
17.4%
Newark +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $48,416 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $25,509 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 10.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 24.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 17.4% | Newark + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 24.1% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.0% | Moreno Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 23.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.2% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Newark
35.9 min
Newark +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 35.9 min | Newark + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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