Moreno Valley CA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.6 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 13.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 17.6% | 5.0% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 3.1% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 42.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $54,546 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 18.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 51.7% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Moreno Valley +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Tucson
12.5%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.5% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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