Moreno Valley CA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 209,720 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.5 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 8.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 17.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 3.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 20.0% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $46,628 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 26.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 37.2% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.6% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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