Moreno Valley CA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.3 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 12.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 17.6% | 10.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 13.1% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $83,857 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 12.0% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 56.5% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Moreno Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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