Living in Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley is the 112th-largest city in the US, home to about 214,000 people in 2025. It has grown 2.7% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (106.4 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

214,263+2.7% since 2020

Median home value

$503,7005.4 years of median income

Median rent

$2,135/morent plus utilities

Household income

$93,222median, per year

Price level

106.4US average = 100

January / July highs

67° / 95°lows 41° / 63°

Average commute

36 min8% work from home

State income tax

13.3%top rate, graduated

Cost of living in Moreno Valley

The median home in Moreno Valley is worth $503,700 and the median household earns $93,222 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,135 a month, about 28% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area at 106.4, with housing at 129.3 and goods at 101.4 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $79,800 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.

All items106.4

Housing129.3

Goods101.4

Utilities148.6

Other services101.3

What would my salary be worth in Moreno Valley?

Moreno Valley weather

Average highs run from 67°F in January to 95°F in July, and January nights average 41°F. It gets 13 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 104 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to May and October to November.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Moreno Valley

People and work

The median resident is 32.5 years old, and 18% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 63% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 36 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.

Median age

32.569th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

18%adults 25+

Homeowners

63%of households

People per sq mile

4,17651.3 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

1%1% walk, 0.3% bike

Unemployment

7.1%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

11.7%of residents

Typical home built

1988median year

Who moves to Moreno Valley, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Anaheim (Orange County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Anaheim (Orange County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Moreno Valley

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 35 miles
  BeenWant to go
• University of California-Riverside 6 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Riverside City College 9 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Mt San Jacinto Community College District 17 miles
  BeenWant to go
• California State University-San Bernardino 18 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Chaffey College 24 miles
  BeenWant to go
• San Bernardino Valley College 11 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Pomona College 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Museum 34 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Moreno Valley College 4 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Claremont McKenna College 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Santiago Canyon College 32 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Moreno Valley

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Moreno Valley

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Moreno Valley

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 27, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 2 and the first frost comes around December 19.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Redlands, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Moreno Valley.

Wildfire smoke in Moreno Valley

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Moreno Valley on about 37 days a year, including about 8 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Moreno Valley

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 55,565 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Moreno Valley

Downtown Moreno Valley is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Corona-Norco Unified School District (49,487 students), San Bernardino City Unified School District (44,192 students), Riverside Unified School District (38,033 students), Redlands Unified School District (19,310 students), Val Verde Unified School District (19,080 students), Colton Joint Unified School District (18,414 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Moreno Valley's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Moreno Valley's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• Manteca, CA78% matchCompare
• Sacramento, CA76% matchCompare
• Rancho Cordova, CA75% matchCompare
• Citrus Heights, CA74% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Moreno Valley

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park International Dark Sky Park 67 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Borrego Springs International Dark Sky Community 69 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Joshua Tree National Park International Dark Sky Park 76 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

Ski resorts near Moreno Valley

• Snow Valley Mountain Resort 23 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Rim Nordic Ski Area 23 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Snow Summit 28 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Bear Mountain 29 miles
  BeenWant to go

Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.

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Pros and cons of living in Moreno Valley

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 67°F.

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Cons

• Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
• Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
• Data Summers are long and hot: about 104 days a year reach 90°F.
• Data Commutes are long: 36 minutes each way on average.
• Data High natural hazard risk in Riverside County (FEMA rates it very high), led by wildfire, inland flooding and earthquake.
• Data Air quality is a concern: 136 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).

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Moreno Valley report card from locals

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Cities near Moreno Valley

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Moreno Valley ranks 21st of 62 in our best suburbs of Riverside ranking.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare Moreno Valley with another city

Moreno Valley vsCompare

Frequently asked questions

Is Moreno Valley a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 104 days a year at 90°F or hotter, long commutes. Compare Moreno Valley side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Moreno Valley?

The Census Bureau estimates Moreno Valley had 214,263 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 208,632 in April 2020 (+2.7%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Moreno Valley?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $79,800 in the Moreno Valley area. The median household here earns $93,222.

When is the best time to visit Moreno Valley?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 95°F and January 67°F for daytime highs.

What county is Moreno Valley in?

Moreno Valley is in Riverside County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Moreno Valley in?

Moreno Valley is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Moreno Valley?

About 1,631 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does California have a state income tax?

Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Moreno Valley. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Redlands, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.