Moreno Valley CA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Moreno Valley
210,378
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.6 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 10.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 17.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 2.3% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 17.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $57,673 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 17.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 54.6% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Moreno Valley. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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