Moreno Valley CA vs Pasadena TX — 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, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 125,983 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.5 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 19.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 17.6% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 25.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 32.1% | Moreno Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.1% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.6% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, TX | 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
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Moreno Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Pasadena
36.1 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 36.1 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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