Moreno Valley CA vs San Marcos 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 99,507 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.2 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 5.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 17.6% | 4.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 1.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 42.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $64,146 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 11.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 22.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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