Moreno Valley CA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 67,231 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.5 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 22.4% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 17.6% | 2.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 7.1% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Pasadena
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $1,215,642 | Moreno Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 54.2% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Pasadena
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Pasadena
2388
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while moreno Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $552,845. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Moreno Valley, CA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Moreno Valley, CAChicago, IL vs Moreno Valley, CAHouston, TX vs Moreno Valley, CAMoreno Valley, CA vs Phoenix, AZMoreno Valley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA