Moreno Valley CA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 126,103 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.2 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 5.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 17.6% | 9.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 1.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 16.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $55,902 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 15.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 59.2% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 39.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Moreno Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.9% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Moreno Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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