Moreno Valley CA vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Norwalk
24.0%
Norwalk +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 100,713 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.5 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 22.4% | 24.0% | Norwalk + |
| Black | 17.6% | 4.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Norwalk
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Norwalk
21.3%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 21.3% | Norwalk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Moreno Valley +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $765,319 | Moreno Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Norwalk
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Norwalk
2388
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 32.1 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while moreno Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $552,845. On public safety, Norwalk is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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