Performance
Score Breakdown
Moreno Valley
Anaheim
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moreno Valley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Anaheim.
Housing costs are a major driver: Moreno Valley's average rent is
24% lower than Anaheim's.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Anaheim | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,881 | $2,487 | -24% |
| Groceries | $413 | $411 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $262 | -31% |
| Transport | $410 | $514 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $302 | $139 | +117% |
| Monthly Total | $3,186 | $3,813 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moreno Valley offers 50% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moreno Valley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Moreno Valley is estimated at
$70,000 vs $59,000 in Anaheim.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,932 | $39,182 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $59,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,369 idx | 26,297 idx |
| Household Income | $93,222 | $95,227 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anaheim has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Moreno Valley.
Anaheim scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anaheim leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 67.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anaheim is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Moreno Valley.
From a growth perspective, Moreno Valley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Moreno Valley | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 215,549 | 346,597 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $22.8B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Moreno Valley
Advantages
More affordable housing market compared to other major Southern California cities, with median home prices significantly lower than Murrieta and Temecula.
Strategic location with direct freeway access to Los Angeles and Orange County, offering shorter commute times for many.
Growing industrial sector, particularly in logistics and warehousing, providing steady employment opportunities.
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, conducive to outdoor activities year-round.
Diverse and relatively young population, contributing to a vibrant community atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and transportation costs.
Higher violent and property crime rates compared to national averages.
Heavily car-dependent city with a walk score of 0, necessitating a car for most daily activities.
Recent job growth has seen a decline of 1.38% in employment from June 2025 to June 2026.
School performance and safety statistics reportedly lag behind some neighboring cities like Murrieta and Temecula.
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Moreno Valley
#64California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,881
Avg Salary
$58,932
Cost Index
117
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
65
Business
70
Anaheim
#64California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
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