Moreno Valley CA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.5 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 8.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 17.6% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 2.1% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 10.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $62,671 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 18.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 43.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.9% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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