60freeway, 2005
Moreno Valley’s story
42 years in pictures
Census counts: 118,779 in 1990, 208,634 in 2020. The archive holds 17 old photos and papers going back to 2005 and 4 maps from 1942 on.
- 1984Moreno Valley is settled
Population
214,263
2025 Census estimate · +2.7% since 2020
Typical home
$550K
+0.8% in a year
Household income
$93K
median
Median age
32.5
years
Jobs based here
55,995
A commuter town
TownGrade
D
#652 of 841 in CA
Is Moreno Valley a good place to live?
Moreno Valley grades D overall, 652nd of 841 graded towns in California. In its favor, it has 35 miles of trail. Moreno Valley's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 98% of U.S. towns. 11% of the land in Moreno Valley is conserved, against 4.2% in California’s towns and 4.3% across U.S. towns. Only 33 of California’s 1,063 towns score lower on history.
What makes Moreno Valley stand out
Where Moreno Valley beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
College town
Moreno Valley College calls Moreno Valley home
College Scorecard · IPEDS
How Moreno Valley grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Moreno Valley is from typical.
Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listD−Open →Cost of livingDOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 11.2 of 20; 3.9% of households have no carB+Open →HealthRiverside University Health System-Medical Center 1 miles awayCOpen →SafetyCOpen →SchoolsC+Open →Jobs & income$93K median household incomeBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsA−Open →History16 notable people born hereD−Open →Civic life1.2 library visits per resident; 1.6 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsD−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 97° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market36 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 32.5; 18% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 138 attractions →Angel Stadium of Anaheim and 53 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Moreno Valley. Close and well known come first.
Big draw40 mi Stadium & arenaAngel Stadium of Anaheim
39 mi Stadium & arenaHonda Center
36 mi MountainMount San Antonio
35 mi MuseumRichard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
25 mi MountainSan Gorgonio Mountain
23 mi Stadium & arenaToyota ArenaSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Angel Stadium of Anaheim: Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen, Public domain · Honda Center: Arnold C (Buchanan-Hermit), Attribution · Mount San Antonio: The original uploader was Tillman at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.0 · Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum: The original uploader was Sorcha at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5 · San Gorgonio Mountain: Doc Searls, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Toyota Arena: jondoeforty1, CC BY 2.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Moreno Valley: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Moreno Valley, and how to reach them.
PowerSouthern California Edison31.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterEastern Municipal WD water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBy addressDay by addressTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereRiverside Registrar of VotersRiverside County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP codes92553, 92557, 92555, 9255192553 37% · 92557 26% · 92555 21% · 92551 16%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Moreno Valley.
Moreno Valley has a longer frost-free season than nearly all U.S. towns and has seen reported crime fall beyond ordinary swings, but it trails even towns with similar incomes on health.
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D−
Moreno Valley faces a very high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 92% of U.S. communities. Since 1992, 9 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Moreno Valley.
92risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingEarthquakesWildfire
9
paid flood claims since 1992
7
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SchoolsC+
On state tests, Moreno Valley’s schools trail 61% of California districts
Its public schools are run by the Moreno Valley Unified school district. Two of its 56 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
39%of CA districts it outscoresC+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Heights MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 1,419 | – |
| Valley View HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 2,699 | A+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
With 0.7 jobs for every working resident, most of Moreno Valley’s workers commute out
Jobs based here grew from 25,157 in 2013 to 55,995.
Most working residents leave Moreno Valley for work: only 15% work in town. At 36 minutes, Moreno Valley’s average trip to work is where California’s towns sit at 28 minutes and U.S. towns at 25 minutes. Since 2013, Moreno Valley has added 30,838 jobs, to 55,995 in 2023.
15%work in town
| Moreno Valley | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 36 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 15% | 6.6% | 8% |
| Work from home | 8% | 14% | 11% |
| Below the poverty line | 12% | 10% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Moreno Valley15%
Riverside13%
San Bernardino5%
Los Angeles5%
Perris3%
17 mi
median commute distance
55,995
jobs based in Moreno Valley
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 73% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HealthC
Moreno Valley is less healthy than 72% of U.S. towns
Against the 9,549 U.S. towns with household incomes like Moreno Valley’s, it is less healthy than 90%, so it trails even them.
Moreno Valley beats the California average on 1 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 16. 27% of adults worry about having enough food in Moreno Valley.
28%healthier than U.S. townsCHealth Grade
| Moreno Valley | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food insecurity (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 16% | 14% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 39% | 36% | 33% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 42% | 35% | 36% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 70% | 72% | 79% |
32 measures vs. California
1 better15 too close to call16 worse
| What stands out | Moreno Valley | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 4.4% | 6.4% |
| More adults facing a utility shut-off | 11.8% | 7.3% |
Riverside University Health System-Medical Center
1 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: dental
21st
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
SafetyC
More crime per resident in Moreno Valley than in 71% of U.S. towns
Reported crimes fell from 4,827 to 4,178 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
The property crime rate in Moreno Valley is 16.4 per 1,000 residents. Within California, it does better than 53% of towns. The violent crime rate in Moreno Valley is 3 per 1,000 residents.
29%of U.S. towns report more crimeCSafety Grade
| Moreno Valley | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 16.4 per 1,000 residents | 13.3 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 3 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Moreno Valley3
California4.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Moreno Valley16.4
California18.2
U.S.15.5
29th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
53rd
percentile among CA towns
645
violent crimes reported in 2025
3,533
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
HousingCost of living grade D
The typical home in Moreno Valley is valued at about $550K
The typical Moreno Valley home is worth about $550,000, up 0.8% in a year, 28% below the California typical home. Moreno Valley’s median rent is $2,135 a month.
$550KZillow home value
| Moreno Valley | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,135 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent | 61% | 55% | 48% |
| Households that own their home | 63% | 64% | 73% |
Typical home value
Moreno Valley$550K
California$762K
Market temperature
36
days on market
100.7%
sale-to-list price
+0.8%
value change, 1 year
111
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
OutdoorsA−
Moreno Valley has set aside 11.3% of its land for conservation
The biggest park or preserve is Lake Perris State Recreation Area, at 93 acres.
#475for trails in CA
11.3%
conserved · 3,698 of 32,835 acres
35 mi
of trails · 0.7 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. San Jacinto / Lake Perris Core Reserve | 2.6 mi | 729 |
| 2. Sunnymead Park | 0.8 mi | 19 |
| 3. Shadow Mountain Park | 0.5 mi | 10 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Climate
Moreno Valley has mild winters and hot summers
The Redlands weather station, 8 miles away, records that the frost-free season runs about 329 days, longer than in 96% of U.S. towns. The Redlands weather station, 8 miles away, records that about 104 days a year reach 90°, more than in 96% of U.S. towns.
Moreno Valley has warm winters and hot summers, with very little rain. July afternoons reach 95°, January nights drop to 42° and snow is almost unheard of.
97°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter42–66°
Spring49–75°
Summer62–93°
Fall54–82°
+2.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
97°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Moreno Valley
20pages on Moreno Valley
The big questions
SchoolsC+Behind 61% of CA districts · 56 schoolsSafetyC3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthCBetter than CA on 1 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD$550K typical home · up 0.8% in a yearWork & commuteB$93K median household income · 55,995 jobs hereNatural hazardsD−FEMA risk higher than 92% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
10 within 15 miles of the center of Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley CollegeCommunity college · Public · Moreno ValleyIn town$1,428 in-state tuitionPlatt College-RiversideUniversity or college · Private for-profit · Riverside5.4 mi$14,922 tuitionUniversity of California-RiversideUniversity or college · Public · Riverside7.8 mi$15,606 in-state tuition
About 7 of every 100 Moreno Valley residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California.
A commuter town
85% of working residents leave Moreno Valley for work
Where Moreno Valley’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
55,995jobs based in Moreno Valley
15%of working residents work in town
17 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Famous people from Moreno Valley
16 notable people were born in Moreno Valley.
About Moreno Valley
City in California, United States
Moreno Valley is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and is part of the Riverside–San Bernardino metropolitan area. It is the second-largest city in Riverside County by population and one of the Inland Empire's population centers. The city's population was 208,634 at the 2020 census. Moreno Valley is also part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. The city derived its name from the small community of Moreno, which became part of the city of Moreno Valley when the city was incorporated in 1984. Frank E. Brown, one of the founders of the community of Moreno in 1882, declined to have the town named after him, but to honor him, the town was named Moreno, Spanish for b…
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1984
- Area
- 52 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,631 ft
- ZIP code
- 92551, 92552, 92553
Moreno Valley’s neighbors
3 towns share a border with Moreno Valley.
RiversidePerrisMarch ARBMoreno Valley
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Valley | #652 | D | D | C | C+ | C |
| Riverside | #568 | D | D | D | B | C+ |
| Perris | #709 | D− | D | C− | C+ | C− |
| March ARB | — | — | D− | — | C+ | D |
March ARB has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. March ARB reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Moreno Valley with a neighbor →
Questions about Moreno Valley
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Moreno Valley, CA a good place to live?
Moreno Valley grades D overall, better than 7% of U.S. towns and #652 of 841 in California. It grades C for health, C for safety and C+ for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Moreno Valley, CA safe?
Within California, it does better than 53% of towns.
Is Moreno Valley, CA expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D.
What is Moreno Valley, CA known for?
16 notable people were born here, including Jamaal Franklin and Beverly Yanez.