Moreno Valley CA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 149,519 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 41.6 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 6.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 17.6% | 4.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 2.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 19.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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