Moreno Valley CA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 71,542 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.9 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 4.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 17.6% | 6.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 1.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 7.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $55,578 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 18.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 61.4% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Moreno Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
St. Charles
12.5%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.5% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | St. Charles, MO | 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 +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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