Moreno Valley CA vs Sugar Land 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 109,735 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.5 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 22.4% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 17.6% | 7.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 12.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Moreno Valley +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sugar Land, 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
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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