| Index | Moreno Valley | California | National |
| Cost of living | 137 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 117 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 182 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 118 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 122 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 121 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 127 | 100 |
The cost of living in Moreno Valley affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Moreno Valley is 137, which is 37% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Moreno Valley may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Moreno Valley falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs significantly influence the Moreno Valley cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 82.4%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Moreno Valley, you can expect to spend 13.7% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Moreno Valley is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.5% above the national average.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 9 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Moreno Valley. The results indicated that 56% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 44% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Moreno Valley affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Moreno Valley, the median home price is 89.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 64.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Moreno Valley boasting a median household income of $106,824, 31.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Moreno Valley, healthcare costs are 17.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Moreno Valley, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
The Moreno Valley cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $126,628 | $10,552 | $2,954 | $3,799 |
| Renters | $73,628 | $6,136 | $1,718 | $2,209 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Homeland, CA | 7,909 | 110 | 10.0% |
| Hemet, CA | 87,279 | 118 | 17.7% |
| Good Hope, CA | 8,754 | 118 | 18.4% |
| Warm Springs, CA | 1,496 | 118 | 18.5% |
| Meadowbrook, CA | 4,320 | 119 | 19.2% |
| Moreno Valley, CA | 215,612 | 137 | 37.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fayetteville, NC | 215,564 | 96 | 4.4% |
| Richmond Hill, ON | 215,407 | n/a | |
| Oxnard, CA | 214,920 | 154 | 53.6% |
| Birmingham, AL | 216,515 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 218,105 | 165 | 65.4% |
| Moreno Valley, CA | 215,612 | 137 | 37.1% |
Here are the best places to live in California
See the best places to live in Moreno Valley
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in California