Moreno Valley CA vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
22.9%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Bernardino +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 22.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 27.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Black | 17.6% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 4.1% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
San Bernardino
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $63,988 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $23,980 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 19.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 12.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $492,059 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 48.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
San Bernardino
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
San Bernardino
2388
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Bernardino, 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%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.0% | Moreno Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.1% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 30.7 min | San Bernardino + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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