Moreno Valley CA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 133,473 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 41.5 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 22.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 17.6% | 6.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 2.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $78,429 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.3% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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