Moreno Valley vs Sacramento: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Moreno Valley, California compare to Sacramento, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Moreno Valley is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 6% lower in Moreno Valley compared to Sacramento, while rent is 17% higher.
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Sacramento, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $421,400 | $450,500 | -6.5% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,858 | $1,592 | +16.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $82,637 | $78,954 | +4.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $26,861 | $39,336 | -31.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 209,578 | 523,600 | -60.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Moreno Valley
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Sacramento
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Moreno Valley costs $421,400 compared to $450,500 in Sacramento — a 6% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,858/mo in Moreno Valley vs $1,592/mo in Sacramento.
- Income: Median household income is $82,637 in Moreno Valley and $78,954 in Sacramento.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).