Moreno Valley 55 Below average
Moreno Valley Livability #833 ranked city in California#23,096 ranked city in the USARanks better than 21% of areas
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Moreno Valley, CA - A Place to Grow

Moreno Valley, CA, known as 'A Place to Grow,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Riverside County, Moreno Valley is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Riverside and San Bernardino enhance its status as a central point in the region. Moreno Valley's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Moreno Valley is home to several iconic landmarks, including the March Field Air Museum, the historic Box Springs Mountain, and the scenic Lake Perris State Recreation Area. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Moreno Valley Ranch Golf Club to the bustling Moreno Valley Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Moreno Valley's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from American cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Moreno Valley Festival and the Snow Day highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Moreno Valley's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Moreno Valley College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Moreno Valley is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center and the Moreno Valley Cultural Arts Foundation are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Moreno Valley provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Moreno Valley’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Inland Empire 66ers (MiLB) and the Ontario Reign (AHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Moreno Valley include healthcare, education, and logistics, with significant employers such as Riverside University Health System and Amazon driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and Metrolink, making commuting convenient.

Pros and Cons of Living in Moreno Valley

PROS
  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Moreno Valley?

Moreno Valley is a highly populated city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 215,612 inhabitants. In Moreno Valley, there are 4,205 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Moreno Valley identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 44% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Moreno Valley could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 31 years old is below the nation’s average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 49% of the Moreno Valley population is married. An important consideration when living in Moreno Valley is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 37 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Moreno Valley is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in California, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Moreno Valley, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, health & safety, education and more.

Using data and statistics Moreno Valley has received a livability score of 56/100. This score is ranked in the 22nd percentile when compared to all other cities. This score ranks well below the US average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Moreno Valley has higher than average scores for the following: employment (B-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Moreno Valley. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (D-).

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Moreno Valley market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Moreno Valley. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Moreno Valley are affordable. Median real estate prices in Moreno Valley come in at $620,201, which is 15.2% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Moreno Valley, the home price to income ratio is 5.8, which is 24.7% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Moreno Valley

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      Moreno Valley transportation information

      Statistic Moreno Valley California National
      Average one way commute37min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.8%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.6%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.7%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home3.8%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Moreno Valley, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.